Tickets for the 2010 World Cup went on sale on the internet and in bank branches around South Africa yesterday, with organisers declaring it was irrevocable proof that the finals would go ahead in the country.
Some 700,000 tickets for the first World Cup hosted in Africa are available for purchase out of a total of just over 3 million for the 64 games between June 11-July 11 next year.
Fans have until the end of March to apply for tickets before going into a random draw lottery in April to determine the successful applicants.
"The beginning of this part of the build-up to the World Cup is our irrevocable promise that we make to the people of the world that all is in place and will be ready for 2010," said Organising Committee chief executive officer Danny Jordaan.
The readiness of South Africa's stadiums and infrastructure has come under scrutiny but FIFA President Sepp Blatter said in December there was "no plan B".
Some 20 million applications were received during the first phase of the sales process for the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany, which was conducted entirely on line.