Canadians to have another exclusive window to buy World Cup tickets for Toronto, Vancouver matches

FIFA began the process of selling another one million tickets for next year's World Cup on Monday, with the opening of a new ticket draw marking the start of the tournament's second phase of sales.

This draw, which runs through 11 a.m. Eastern Friday, includes a domestic exclusivity time slot for residents of the three host countries – United States, Canada and Mexico. Fans from those countries, whose entries are selected out of this draw, will have the opportunity to buy single-match tickets for games taking place inside their home nation.

The phase is open to all fans, regardless of which country they live.

"We already have seen massive interest from around the world for this tournament, and especially from within the host countries as Canada, Mexico and the United States prepare to host the biggest FIFA World Cup yet," said Heimo Schirgi, the tournament's chief operating officer.

"This second phase, with its host country domestic exclusivity time slot, will allow us to say ‘thank you’ to these local fans, while ensuring global opportunity as well."

Those fans from the U.S, Canada and Mexico who enter the draw before it closes Friday have a chance to receive, through what FIFA says is a randomized process, a time slot during which they can buy tickets starting on Nov. 12. Those slots will be issued through Nov. 15. Fans who win those chances will receive word at least 48 hours before their time slot opens.

Residents of the three host countries -- the U.S., Canada and Mexico, in that order -- purchased more tickets than those from any other nation in the initial phase of ticketing. England, Germany, Brazil, Spain, Colombia, Argentina and France, in that order, rounded out the top 10.

Soccer fans in Vancouver get a