Just got an email from the US Soccer Federation re tickets for the US matches at the WC. FIFA supposedly controls all ticket distribution. Most interesting to me is that they are requiring passport numbers on the applications. I wonder if this is being done with other countries as well, and if the numbers will be run through a security check to validate who is actually purchasing the tickets. No mention was made of whether passports will be checked against the tickets at the venues. Tickets are due to be mailed out in May. So people will have them in hand before getting to Japan, and could still sell them on to others if desired?

-- Anonymous, January 23, 2002

Answers

I'd be surprised if they check passoprts at the games - in France 98 and Euro 2000 all the tickets sold directly to the public had names on them and a warning that there would be ID checks at games. In practice they didn't check anybody's ID What kind of prices are they asking? I'm going to Japan to work for a year (big money transfer from the Sydney clique to join Kegsy in the Tokyo posse!) and am keen to get hold of tickets.

-- Anonymous, January 23, 2002

And then there were two of us!

-- Anonymous, January 23, 2002

www.fifa-tickets.com was the main place where you could try and buy tickets (for non-Japanese residents) but the final deadline has passed. On these applications you had to include a passport number and I believe that this will be included on the tickets. For tickets that were bought domestically you had to include your name and also passport numbers and I know that you can now change the ownership of tickets if you have a valid reason. I don't know if that helps or not!

I was unable to get any tickets as they are done on a draw as opposed to a first come first served basis. I still have one application for all Nigerias games through to the final, if Nigeria don't qualify I get the winners of the group and all their subsequent matches (so there is method to my madness) and I am still waiting to apply through the England fans site. It would seem that my best hope though will be with the friendly touts!

-- Anonymous, January 23, 2002

Andy, I can't send this in email format as the walls have ears, but I am hopefully leaving my job at the end of March to start at a new company and if you arrive in Japan before the start of April and before you have to start work, I will give you a little bit of a tour and help you settle in if you want.

-- Anonymous, January 23, 2002

Big money transfer? I heard you were surplus to requirements now 'Toon down under' have resigned El Loony. Plus the dramatic upturn in form of a certain youth player, has seen your first team chances diminish yet further. In fact, the team are looking into the legality of terminating your contract with immediate effect. We call you Marca when you're not there.

-- Anonymous, January 23, 2002

Timely words young Nick, considering I have in front of me right now the registration documents for the forthcoming season. I've just written the player names on it - myself, TM, Muzzainoz, Sting, Loony, Thommo & Stevie. Can't see your name on there for some reason.......

-- Anonymous, January 24, 2002

Just bear in mind Nick that it can take a full season for us continentals to adapt to the pace of the game before you pack off the old warhorses on freebies. especially those of us that weren't brought up in Hexham and therefore don't speak the same language ...

-- Anonymous, January 24, 2002

And you can safely assume I will be starting every game until I leave Sydney and I'll be there on merit. Or maybe because I pick the teams...... one or the other anyway!

-- Anonymous, January 24, 2002

I'm not the one who handed in his transfer request...

-- Anonymous, January 24, 2002

Nick, if you're not getting a game, maybe you should....

-- Anonymous, January 24, 2002

Oh, I get a game. Just joshin'

-- Anonymous, January 24, 2002

Prices for the US allocation are $60-$150. People can apply for US matches beyond the first round, but are SOL once the US goes out of the tournament. No alternative tickets will be offered and they lose $10 "handling fee" from the money refunded. Good luck in your ticket quest, Kegsy! Sounds like the Nigerians are getting a slightly better deal with having the chance at tickets to alternative matches.

I didn't know the passport number/name on tickets had been done before. Seems a good idea, even though folks always find a way around it. Even with heightened security concerns this time, I would imagine it would be very difficult to check id for every spectator entering the grounds.

-- Anonymous, January 24, 2002

Kegsy, That's a great offer, I really appreciate it, hope I can take you up on it. Not sure if I'll have time before I start work though - they basically want me there tomorrow, but I'm insisting I can't go until April. I want to spend as much time here as possible before I leave as there's SO much I haven't seen yet - haven't been to the Barrier Reef, Byron Bay, Darwin, Perth, Adelaide etc etc. New job sounds promising, hope it works out.

-- Anonymous, January 24, 2002

Ciara - that offer was for all teams on Fifa-tickets.com not just Nigeria - I went for Nigeria because they are in Englands group and thought I would have more chance of getting a ticket.

Andy - I am happy to help if I have the time, if I get a new job I will probably finish here on the 25th and start the new one on the 1st.

-- Anonymous, January 25, 2002

Kegsy - I hadn't realised you were so time-pressed when you took me & Breda out for traditional Japanese scran and beer spilling the other week ? I'm even more flattered kegsy san

;O))

-- Anonymous, January 25, 2002