A large number of German politicians will be given free tickets for the entire World Cup, it was revealed yesterday as criticism mounted of the way the tournament is being organised.

Germany's chancellor, Angela Merkel, her cabinet, and the president, Horst K?hler - have been invited to watch all 64 games, including England's three opening round matches. They will each be offered two free tickets for each match, officials said. Other beneficiaries include parliamentary party leaders, two constitutional judges, and Mrs Merkel's press secretary, Ulrich Wilhelm.

Yesterday, however, Germany's interior ministry, which drew up the list, defended the freebies. "I can understand people's frustration. Seventy-nine sounds a lot," Christian Sachs, the ministry spokesman, told the Guardian.

"But given Germany's federal structure and the fact that there are 12 host cities this is really the minimal number of people we could identify to make sure the German government was properly represented."