FIFA says 100,000 World Cup tickets have been sold in the first 24 hours of the final phase

JOHANNESBURG FIFA says 100,000 World Cup tickets have been sold in the first 24 hours of the final phase, and the semifinals and final are sold out.So far, 29 of the 64 matches are sold out. That includes all games in the coastal cities of Cape Town and Durban.

The scores of football fans have dwindled and queues were moving much faster on the second day of the over-the-counter sales phase for the 2010 FIFA world Cup tickets.

Following yesterday’s chaos at ticketing centres countrywide, better organisation and a more reliable systems led to fewer problems. “We have managed to organise things properly and set up a numerical system, so we have managed to organise things fairly smoothly,” says Jess Constant from FIFA Ticketing.

However, some fans are still of the opinion that the process takes too long. Some fans got to the ticket station early in the morning and by noon were still in queues, while others decided to leave. FIFA says the delays are caused by buyers who are indecisive.

More than 100 00 tickets have been sold since yesterday – 12 000 of those to the international market. The Local Organising Committee’s Danny Jordaan expects between 250 000 and 300 000 foreign visitors for the initial stage of the tournament. But a second wave of tourist during the latter stages can not be ruled out.

“When the big teams of Europe make it through to the semi-finals and the finals, fans don’t ask questions anymore. The fans will get the money to travel and make it here to support their team. So over the period you will see still an increased number of people coming to the World Cup,” says Jordaan.

Meanwhile, the cheaper category 4 tickets are currently unavailable, but should be available again at Shoprite/Checkers outlets from Monday.

FIFA ticketing subcommittee chairman Horst Schmidt said Friday “we are very pleased with the interest and with the latest figures.”The final ticket batch was released Thursday, and fans in South Africa could buy over the counter for the first time. However, there were technical problems with the ticketing systems.Police were called to at least three centers to calm angry fans who faced lengthy delays. (AP)

Alicia Keys, Shakira, the Black Eyed Peas and John Legend would be among the performers hitting the stage on June 10 at Orlando Stadium in Soweto/Johannesburg

Kicking off one of the world’s biggest sporting events should be the job of some equally big superstars. The 2010 FIFA World Cup did its best to recruit A-list artists, and on Wednesday, the soccer organization confirmed that Alicia Keys, Shakira, the Black Eyed Peas and John Legend would be among the performers hitting the stage on June 10 at Orlando Stadium in Soweto/Johannesburg, South Africa.”It’s going to be insane,” Keys told MTV News, shortly after the announcement.

“I’m very excited about going to Africa, and the fact that the World Cup is in Africa is unbelievable for me! To be a part of that is incredible.”

Malian duo Amadou & Mariam, Beninese singer Angelique Kidjo and South African rock group BLK JKS will be among the musicians celebrating the first World Cup on their continent. The opening celebration, which is held on the eve of the first match, will also likely include appearances by soccer legends past and present, plenty of celebrity power and more performances to be announced soon.

Keys is excited to go back to Africa and work with her Keep a Child Alive foundation, which provides support for children and families affected by HIV/AIDS. FIFA is doing its part to help too: All net proceeds from the concert will be donated to 20 Centres for 2010, a campaign to build soccer-training centers in Africa that will also offer education and health-care services to disadvantaged communities.