37,000 apply to WC volunteer program

37,000 apply to WC volunteer program

Published Aug. 23, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

FIFA says that in 24 hours nearly 37,000 people applied to be volunteers at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Football's governing body said Wednesday that applicants from 69 countries sent in their requests to participate in the volunteer program.

Only about 15,000 will be selected to work during the tournament.

FIFA said 80 percent of those who applied for the World Cup also would like to participate in next year's Confederations Cup, when 7,000 volunteers will be needed.

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Local organizing committee member Rodrigo Hermida says these numbers ''give us confidence that the volunteer program will be a success.''

The program will continue to accept applications for two weeks. The period may be extended by organizers.

Brazil will host the World Cup in 2014 for the first time since 1950.

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