Tickets have gone on sale for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Organizers hope the global recession will not dampen sales and that the event will be accessible to as many fans as possible.

The launch of the first ticket sales began Friday at 1000 GMT. FIFA has set aside cheaper tickets, with 15 per cent of the 3 million tickets to be priced at US$20 - well below the top ticket of US$900.

The low-priced tickets will be available only to those living in South Africa, a nation with high unemployment and poverty.

Tickets will be sold in several phases and are available at www.FIFA.com. A random draw will be held on April 15 at the end of the first phase.