THE STADIUM AND WORLD CUP ORGANISATION HEADQUARTERS; SPECIAL PRESS FACILITIES; OFFICES AND WORKERS PREPARING FOR COMPETITION.




Initials RGM/V/JF/K


SPORT: SOCCER

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: NERVE-CENTRE OF THE WORLD CUP ORGANISATION, WHOSE EFFORTS ARE REACHING A CLIMAX FOR THIS YEAR'S COMPETITION, IS LONDON'S WHITE CITY STADIUM. THE GROUND IS ALSO BEING USED FOR PART OF THE COMPETITION'S PLAY-OFF BETWEEN THE 16 PARTICIPATING NATIONS.

APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED FROM NEARLY 100 COUNTRIES FOR TICKETS FOR THE 32 MATCHES THAT WILL MAKE UP THE COMPETITION. ABOUT 40,000 FOREIGN FOOTBALL FANS ARE EXPECTED TO TRAVEL TO BRITAIN TO SUPPORT THEIR TEAMS. BRAZIL, THE REIGNING CHAMPIONS, ARE LIKELY TO BRING THE LARGEST CONTINGENT OF FANS.

AND IT IS AT WHITE CITY THAT THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF APPLICATIONS THAT ARE POURING IN FOR, NOT ONLY THE 60,000 SEATS AT THE STADIUM, BUT FOR THE SEATS AND STANDS AT THE SEVEN OTHER VENUES IN ENGLAND.

NOT LEAST IN THE ORGANISERS' PLANS ARE THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE 1,600 NEWSPAPER, RADIO AND TELEVISION MEN WHO WILL BE COVERING THE EVENT. AT WHITE CITY, MORE THAN 350 SEATS HAVE BEEN PROVIDED FOR THE VISITING PRESSMEN.