Nearly 68,000 people applied to work as volunteers at next year's World Cup in South Africa, exceeding the 48,167 applications received for the 2006 finals in Germany, locals organisers said yesterday.

The process, which ran from July 20 to August 31, received 67,999 applications from 170 countries.

The month-long tournament, which has been punted as a continental event, will be hosted for the first time in Africa in June next year.

Local organising committee spokesman Rich Mkhondo said applicants would be interviewed to bring the number down to the 15,000 volunteers needed.

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