Half a million unsold World Cup tickets will go on sale over the counter from Thursday as FIFA accedes to South African business methods.

The final phase of sales for the month-long tournament beginning in June will see ticket selling points in shopping malls in the nine host cities plus a network of popular supermarkets.

Tickets are still available for all 64 matches except the final at Soccer City in Johannesburg on July 11.

It will be the first time fans can buy tickets over the counter in cash -- the preferred method of purchasing for South African football fans, many of who are on low incomes.

FIFA had previously insisted on selling tickets through its website on the Internet or in a complicated ballot procedure at a local bank branch, triggering local criticism.

Many South Africans complained the process excluded people without web access, credit cards or the disposable income the to pay for their tickets months in advance.

Ticket prices are also well above normal for top-level football in South Africa.

A special category of tickets for residents of South Africa sells at $20 (£13) but costs escalate drastically in higher categories for better seats and after the first-round group phase. Tickets for premier seats at the final costs $900.

Demand in South Africa had initially sluggish but the most recent phase saw locals snap up 85 percent of the 240,000 tickets sold between February and the beginning of this month.

FIFA said last week 2.2 million tickets have been sold for the tournament, which kicks off on June 11.