Ticket sales for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar are nearing three million, according to FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
It was also revealed by World Cup chief operating officer Colin Smith that the top 10 purchasing countries out of the 2.89 million tickets sold are Qatar, the US, Saudi Arabia, England, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Argentina, France, Brazil and Germany.
Smith was speaking at a news conference in Doha yesterday (Monday) while Infantino also addressed journalists through a recorded video.
Some 240,000 hospitality packages have also been sold for the tournament. Hospitality tickets allow holders access to luxurious stadium lounges, some with access to alcohol, and cost more than $34,500 (£30,450/€25,000) for the semi-finals and final.
Next month, Qatar will welcome an estimated 1.2 million visitors during the World Cup. With the influx of tourists to the region, organisers also revealed that a further 30,000 rooms had been made available to World Cup visitors.
Infantino said: “We have always said that Qatar will deliver the best ever edition of the FIFA World Cup. And as you look around the country today, at the state-of-the-art stadiums, the training pitches, the metro, the wider infrastructure, everything is ready and everyone is welcome.
“The world is excited. Qatar is ready. The stage is set. Together, we will deliver the best World Cup ever on and off the field.”
The FIFA World Cup will get underway at Al Bayt Stadium on November 20, culminating in the final at Lusail Stadium on December 18.