JOHANNESBURG (AP) — World Cup organizers insist they have delivered on all their promises and say ticket sales could now match the record set at the 1994 tournament in the United States.
FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke said Tuesday that “we are closer and closer to the best World Cup ever in terms of ticketing.”
He said “it’s an amazing result in South Africa.”
Valcke’s statement was unthinkable six weeks ago when the event was beset by ticketing problems, with a massive 500,000 seats still unsold.
South African sales have received a huge boost after FIFA agreed to over-the-counter releases, where fans could finally buy tickets for cash.
The organizing committee also says the 10 stadiums that will be used for the tournament are ready.
