Johannesburg, July 28 (IANS):  More than 15,000 people have applied for volunteers at the FIFA World Cup next year, since the South African authorities began distributing applications a week ago, BuaNews reported.

The number of applicants has already exceeded the total number of volunteers required for the event, the World Cup organising committee said here Monday.

A total of 15,042 applications was received from prospective volunteers in 133 countries.

FIFA officials said 15,000 volunteers are required, of which 10 percent must be from Africa, 10 percent from the continent and the remaining from the rest of the world.

Anyone who is over the age of 18 can apply in the volunteers' programme that opened last Monday.

Danny Jordaan, chief executive officer of the local organising committee, said the board was overwhelmed by the phenomenal response from people.

He added that the committee will continue to accept applications till Aug 31, 2009.

Volunteers are required to assist in the areas of transport, media, marketing, logistics, accreditation, spectator services, language support, administration and hospitality.

"Language support, in particular, will be very important, especially when it comes to assisting foreign fans that will follow their teams to the tournament," said Jordaan.

The World Cup will be played in nine South African cities, including Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. Hopefuls for the volunteer programme can also apply online.