The sounds of building work and heavy machinery fill the air across the Qatari capital, and video displays count down the days until the wealthy Gulf state will be at the centre of the sporting world.
In just over a month, Qatar will host the Fifa World Cup, the most prestigious event in international football, capping a journey that began in 2010 when the gas-rich country won the host rights in a vote that is now widely discredited.
Yet doubts over whether Qatar can deliver for Fifa, the 32 competing nations, the estimated 1.5mn attending fans or the billions who will watch on television have persisted over those 12 years. Soft infrastructure, such as accommodation and leisure amenities, are seen as a particular weakness.
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