Ticket sales start for 2018 WC in Russia

Germany top FIFA rankings

MOSCOW, Sept 14, (Agencies): Ticket sales have started for next year’s World Cup in Russia.

Fans can start applying for tickets to any of the 64 games, with prices ranging from 1,280 rubles ($22) for the cheapest tickets — a price available to Russian fans only — to $1,100 for top-level seats at the final.

There’s no need to rush with the application, since there’s a lottery system for requests. Applications made by Oct 12 will be collected and buyers picked at random.

Qualifying is still under way and the draw is set for Dec 1. Russian fans know the dates and locations of their team’s group games, but not the opposition.

Another application phase will begin on Dec 5.

The tournament kicks off June 14 and runs through July 15.

Germany have overtaken Neymar’s Brazil at the top of the FIFA rankings released Thursday while Gareth Bale’s Wales have moved ahead of England to grab British bragging rights.

Joachim Loew’s Germany lead their World Cup group after victories over the Czech Republic and Norway in September to maintain their unbeaten record in qualifying.

England are 15th despite recent victories over Malta and Slovakia.

Higher rankings can mean a kinder draw for next year’s World Cup.

FIFA rankings as of Sept 14:

1. Germany (+1), 2. Brazil (-1), 3. Portugal (+3), 4. Argentina (-1), 5. Belgium (+4), 6. Poland (-1), 7. Switzerland (-3), 8. France (+2), 9. Chile (-2), 10. Colombia (-2), 11. Spain (0), 12. Peru (+3), 13. Wales (+5), 14. Mexico (0), 15. England (-2)