Fan interest has been strong for the World Cup in Qatar. (Photo courtesy of FIFA)

Fans have submitted 23.5 million ticket requests in the most recent random selection draw sales period, which closed Thursday, FIFA announced on Friday.

In the latest sales period, Qatari residents continued to demonstrate their support for the World Cup, joined among the top applicants by people living in Argentina, Brazil, England, France, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and the United States.

In addition to applications for the final, the most coveted matches included Argentina vs. Mexico, Argentina vs. Saudi Arabia, England vs. USA and Poland vs. Argentina.

Following the application phase, FIFA Ticketing will verify that ticket requests meet the sales regulations and household restrictions prior to allocating tickets. In cases where the number of tickets applied for exceeds the available ticket inventory for the domestic or international market, tickets will be allocated by a random selection draw process.

Ticket applicants will be notified of the outcome of their ticket applications by email starting May 31, coinciding with the start of the scheduled payment period. Visa payment cards are the exclusive payment method accepted for residents of Qatar, while Visa and other selected payment cards are accepted for international fans. Visa is the preferred payment solution for this World Cup.

Fans who are successful in their ticket applications and who complete payment will be able to book accommodation and apply for a Hayya Card via Qatar2022.qa .

Fans who did not apply or succeed in this random selection draw sales period will have another chance to secure some of the most sought-after tickets on the planet during the next first-come, first-served period, which will launch on FIFA.com/tickets in due course.

For more information on ticket sales phases, products, prices, and categories, visit FIFA.com/tickets .

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.