Qatar set to fall short of 1.2 million visitor target for FIFA 2022 World Cup

Qatar has received just over 765,000 visitors during the first two weeks of the FIFA World Cup, falling short of the organisers’ target to attract 1.2 million arrivals for the tournament.

A report prepared by Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) has advised that the first 17 days of the World Cup welcome 765,859 international visitors, more than half of whom have now departed. The figure represents just over 60% of the SC’s 1.2 million visitor target projected for the entirety of the month-long tournament.

The report stated there were 1.33 million match ticketholders and 3.09 million tickets sold across the eight stadiums in Qatar, with cumulative stadium attendance at the first 52 matches totalling 2.65 million.

With only eight teams remaining in the tournament, a significant surge in visitors at this stage is unlikely.

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

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.

One of the major reasons fans have stayed away from Qatar is expensive tickets.

Reported to be the most expensive in FIFA World Cup history, fans have been required to spend 40% more for tickets in Qatar compared to 2018 edition in Russia.

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.

Previously, FIFA said that stadium attendance in Qatar had surpassed attendance at stadiums during a corresponding period at the 2018 World Cup.

On Tuesday, hundreds of Moroccan fans flew into Qatar on special flights arranged before 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 attempt to advance.

Fewer international visitors than originally forecast has led to an unexpected supply of accommodation.

Images: The main souk in Doha (top) and the crowd at the opneing fixture of the 2022 FIFA World Cup when Qatar played Ecuador (below). Credit: Visit Qatar.