Demand for soccer World Cup tickets soars

More than 87 percent of tickets offered during the 2014 World Cup's penultimate sales phase were purchased, said football's governing body FIFA.

Of the 345,000 tickets made available March 12-31, some 301,929 were sold, reports Xinhua.

Matches involving Brazil and knock-out fixtures were sold out on the opening day. Unsold tickets from the phase will be included in the final sales period starting April 15, open to fans on a first come, first served basis.

FIFA did not reveal the number of tickets still available for the June 12-July 13 tournament.