Tickets for this year’s World Cup in Qatar have gone on sale with international fans discovering that the cost of attending the final is up to 46% higher than the last competition in Russia.

The most expensive tickets on general sale for the match on 18 December at Lusail Stadium, cost 5,850 Qatari riyals (£1,180).

This is up 46% from around £809 for the 2018 final in Moscow, which was won by France who beat Croatia 4-2.

Category two tickets for this year’s showpiece are 3,650 Qatari riyals (£735), up 41% from £521 four years ago.

And the cheapest available for international fans – category three tickets – are 2,200 Qatari riyals (£443), around a third more expensive than £334 last time.

At the Middle East’s first World Cup, the cheapest seats on general sale internationally to watch the host nation open the competition on 21 November are 37% more than in Russia, at 1,100 Qatari riyals (£222).

However, for the other group stage matches there has been a reduction in the cost of some tickets, compared with previous tournaments.

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The cheapest tickets on international sale are the lowest prices since the 2006 World Cup in Germany at 250 Qatari riyals (£50).

And tickets for locals are the lowest since the 1986 World Cup in Mexico – 40 Qatari riyals (£8).

As well as the rise in ticket prices, some international fans may be deterred to fly to Qatar due to criticism of its treatment of migrant workers.

FIFA aim to generate £500m in hospitality and ticket sales across the eight stadiums.

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Fans applying for tickets on the FIFA website will be entered into a draw and will only find out if they have been successful in early March.

The ticket process has begun with only 13 of the 32 slots at the tournament field, and will not be concluded until the intercontinental play-offs in June.

Applications in the first phase of ticket sales can be made on the FIFA website until 8 February.

Fans can also register to follow their team throughout and to watch four matches in four different stadiums.

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