A confidential report, which has been sent only to the 24 FIFA executive committee members who will vote on the hosts on December 2, rates Qatar as a high overall operational risk.

The Middle Eastern country, which has emerged as a strong contender for 2022, also has a high risk warning over team facilities and there are eight other medium risk categories.

There are also warnings that the summer heat in Qatar poses a potential health risk to players, officials, fans and "the FIFA family".

Australia and Korea emerge as the countries with the best technical report from the inspectors - both are judged low risk overall operationally and in terms of legal risk.

The USA and Japan both suffer from issues over government guarantees and are judged a medium overall legal risk.

The FIFA administration are believed to be desperate to avoid a World Cup in Qatar and those close to the Qatar bid believe the inspection report has been biased against them.

In a statement however, Qatar bid chief executive Hassan Al-Thawadi insisted the report gave credit for their "innovative plans" and legacy.

He added: "We are also pleased that the FIFA report describes the Qatar bid as 'low [legal] risk' and pays tribute to our delivery of environmental sustainability and the wide-ranging advantages of modular stadia. In fact we have met or exceeded every single FIFA requirement demanded of a bidding nation.

"Overall there are no issues raised in this report that have not already been addressed by the Qatar bid. We are aware of the concerns expressed but we have ensured that all of them can be answered to the satisfaction of the global football family."

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, in Qatar today for the Aspire4Sport conference, gave the country's bid a boost by lending it his support.

"I would back the Qatar bid," Ferguson said. "I admire their purpose and vision. It's achievable. Addressing the hot climate issue and transporting the stadia to countries is very clever."