Passengers at the hall of Hamad international Airport in Doha, Qatar, December 7, 2022. /CFP
Qatar received just over 765,000 visitors during the first two weeks of the World Cup, falling short of the country's expectations for an influx of 1.2 million during the month-long event.
According to a December 7 report obtained by Reuters, which was prepared by the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC), organizer of the tournament, the first 17 days of the World Cup saw 765,859 international visitors, more than half of whom have now departed.
A huge surge in visitors at this stage is unlikely with only eight teams staying on in Doha, and eight games left out of the 64 in the tournament that began on November 20.
Organizers had previously identified the peak period for international visitors to be November 24-28 during the busy group stage, when 32 teams were playing four matches every day.
A general view of Caravan City, a project to host fans during the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Doha, Qatar, November 19, 2022. /CFP
The report registered 1.33 million match ticket holders and 3.09 million tickets sold across the eight stadiums in Qatar for the tournament that ends on December 18.
A Qatari official, who did not wish to be named, confirmed the figures. The SC did not respond for comment yet.
The tournament in Qatar, the first held in the Middle East, is considered one of the most expensive in terms of tickets, hotels and alcohol, sales of which are restricted.
Moroccan fans attend the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 round of 16 match between Morocco and Spain in Doha, December 6, 2022. /CFP
Fewer international visitors than originally forecast led to an unexpected glut of accommodation but has also averted major over-crowding or traffic headaches in Qatar, the smallest country by both population and area to host the World Cup.
The influx of visitors represents a 25% boost to the country's resident population of three million, of which only about 10-12% are Qataris.
On Tuesday, hundreds of Moroccan fans flew into Qatar on special flights arranged ahead of their team's victory over Spain. It is expected that similar fights will be laid on to allow last-minute fans to fly in from overseas to watch their teams advance through the tournament's final three rounds.
Visitors to Qatar must obtain a Hayya identification card ahead of travel as it doubles as a mandatory entry visa during the tournament period. On Tuesday, Qatar dropped this requirement for Gulf Cooperation Council countries.