FIFA and the Local Organising Committee have opened a call centre to assist South Africans with challenges in applying for tickets for the 2010 World Cup.

FIFA and the Local Organising Committee have opened a call centre to assist South Africans with challenges in applying for tickets for the 2010 World Cup.

In addition, there is also an international call centre for people from across the globe who want to be part of this historic soccer showdown from June 11 to July 11.

Fifa is now over the moon after ticket sales have improved tremendously since the fourth phase got under way last Tuesday.

Horst Schmidt, the chairperson of Fifa's World Cup ticketing subcommittee, said they have sold 74146 tickets, adding that 130000 more applications were being processed.

"The confirmations (for the tickets) are expected to be sent by the beginning of next week. This second-last sales phase will run until April 7.

"We have already had more than 200000 tickets requested within 100 hours, a number we are truly happy with.

"The fans understand that time is crucial now, as the tickets are allocated on a first come, first served basis, and that they should not wait for last-minute sales over the counter."

For South Africans with problems relating to World Cup tickets, a call centre is open between 10.30am and 7.30pm. Fans should call 083-123-2010.

Soccer fans in foreign countries are urged to call 0041-44-583-2010.

Apart from South Africa, the countries with the most tickets sold in this phase are the United States (4327), United Kingdom (1964), Mexico (1898), Australia (1231) and Germany (1193).

Fifa said a total of 110583 individual match tickets have been sold, as well as 7006 team-specific series tickets. More than 400000 tickets were made available for this phase.

LOC chief competitions officer Rich Mkhondo said they were encouraged by the improved ticket sales, which bodes well for the likelihood of large crowds attending all matches.