The opening match of the World Cup knockout rounds has attracted the lowest crowd of six games staged so far at Nelson Mandela Bay stadium.

FIFA declared an attendance of just 30,597 for Uruguay's 2-1 victory over South Korea on Saturday - meaning almost 12,000 seats were empty. More than half the corporate hospitality suites appeared unused.

FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke said earlier Saturday that empty seats happen at all World Cups.

The 42,486-capacity Port Elizabeth stadium also was not filled for the five group-stage matches it hosted.

Its biggest crowd was 38,294 for Germany's 1-0 loss against Serbia.

The ground will stage a quarter-final next Friday and the third-place match July 10.

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