This photo taken on Dec 6, 2022 shows the general view of fans sitting amongst empty seats inside the Lusail Stadium during the World Cup round of 16 match between Portugal and Switzerland in Lusail, Qatar. (PAUL CHILDS / REUTERS)

DOHA - Qatar received just over 765,000 visitors during the first two weeks of the World Cup, according to an organizers' report obtained by Reuters, falling short of the country's expectations for an influx of 1.2 million during the month-long event.

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 Nov 20.

A French soccer fan cheers before the World Cup round of 16 match between France and Poland, at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Dec 4, 2022. (MARTIN MEISSNER / AP)

Organizers had previously identified the peak period for international visitors to be Nov 24-28 during the busy group stage, when 32 teams were playing four matches every day.

The Dec 7 report was prepared by the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC), which organizes the tournament, and said that the first 17 days of the World Cup saw 765,859 international visitors, more than half of whom have now departed.

Soccer fans watch from the stands the World Cup round of 16 match between Argentina and Australia at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Dec 3, 2022. (PETR DAVID JOSEK / AP)

More visitors are expected to flock to Qatar for popular matches and after the country lifted entry restrictions for nationals and residents of fellow Gulf states

The report registered 1.33 million match ticketholders and 3.09 million tickets sold across the eight stadiums in Qatar for the tournament that ends on Dec 18.

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A Qatari official, who did not wish to be named, confirmed the figures. The SC did not respond to Reuters' requests for comment.

The tournament in Qatar, the first to be held in the Middle East, is considered one of the most expensive in terms of tickets, hotels and alcohol, sales of which are restricted.

Fewer international visitors than originally forecast led to an unexpected glut of accommodation but has also averted major overcrowding or traffic headaches in Qatar, the smallest country by both population and area to host the World Cup.

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The influx of visitors represents a 25 percent boost to the country's resident population of 3 million, of which only about 10-12 percent are Qataris.

"With over a week of competition still to go, a wave of new visitors has started arriving from the nations that made it to the quarter finals," the Qatari official told Reuters.

Argentina fans pose for a selfie during the World Cup round of 16 match between Argentina and Australia at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Dec 3, 2022. (JORGE SAENZ / AP)

More visitors are expected to flock to Qatar for popular matches and after the country lifted entry restrictions for nationals and residents of fellow Gulf states.

Cumulative stadium attendance at the first 52 matches was 2.65 million, the document said.

Morocco fans watch from the stands during the World Cup round of 16 match between Morocco and Spain at Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar, Dec 6, 2022. (WOLFGANG RATTAY / REUTERS)

Previously, world soccer's governing body FIFA said that stadium attendance in Qatar had surpassed attendance at stadiums during a corresponding period at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

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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.

Brazil fans wait for the start of the World Cup round of 16 match between Brazil and South Korea at the Stadium 974 in Doha, Qatar, Dec 5, 2022. (JIN-MAN LEE / AP)

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.