The first batch of nearly 1 million tickets for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil went on sale on the internet yesterday.

The chase for tickets began at 1000 GMT, even though World Cup qualification is far from over and the draw for the final phase does not take place until December 6.

At least 300,000 of the tickets that went on sale are reserved for “those over 60 years old, students and recipients of the Bolsa Familia family grant”, the International Football Federation said on its internet site. Those tickets are branded Category 4, cost between US$15 and US$82.50, and are available only to Brazilians. Foreigners can buy tickets in the other three categories, which cost much more. So far only hosts Brazil, Australia, Japan, South Korea and Iran have sealed places at the finals.