Ticket sales for the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup will open on Friday, the international soccer body said.

"We hope that you will come and enjoy the game!" said Fifa Secretary General Jerome Valcke on Thursday.

"The fervor is already palpable within South Africa and all around the world: everyone wants to take part in this extraordinary event. "

The first phase of ticket sales would be between Feb. 20 to March 31, 2009.

Tickets to the "biggest single-sport event in the world" would be available online from 1 p.m. on Friday (South African standard time) .

SA residents can also register through ticket application forms available at First National Bank branches.

They will receive an FNB Visa Official Mascot Prepaid Card in exchange for an amount equal to that of the tickets that they apply for.

"Our ticketing policy has been drawn up to reflect our determination to ensure that FIFA's flagship competition is accessible to all football fans," said Valcke.

"We have strived to give everyone a fair and equal chance to access a ticket, so that all people around the world have a possibility to enjoy the wonderful celebration that we will have next year," added Danny Jordaan, Local Organizing Committee CEO.

All applicants who register correctly by the end of the first sales period will have an equal opportunity to obtain tickets, as this sales phase is not on a first come, first served basis.

On April 15, a random draw will be conducted to determine which applicants receive tickets for oversubscribed matches.

(Xinhua New Agency February 20, 2009)