( CNN ) -- When Qatar won the bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup there was much pomp and pageantry in the tiny Persian Gulf state . Ever since then , however , the successful bid has been dogged by controversy . Issues relating to the feasibility of playing in scorching summer temperatures , the conditions of migrant workers building World Cup infrastructure and allegations of bribery and corruption have all been raised . The latest are reports from the UK 's Sunday Times newspaper claiming a Qatari official paid more than $ 5 million to secure support for his country 's bid . That prompted some of FIFA 's main partners -- who are believed to pay around $ 180 million in sponsorships -- like Adidas and Sony to voice their concerns . `` We expect these allegations to be investigated appropriately , and continue to expect FIFA to adhere to its principles of integrity , ethics and fair play across all aspects of its operations , '' Sony said in a statement . An independent FIFA investigator is looking into the claims and his findings are expected in July . Qatar says they are cooperating in the probe and that it won the bid fairly . But the debate has now raised questions about whether Qatar could lose the 2022 tournament . Some like UEFA boss , Michel Platini , believe a re-vote is necessary if corruption accusations are proven . As a result , doubt has been cast on whether the country should continue its preparations . Work on the first stadium has already begun and the government has earmarked much of this year 's $ 62 billion budget for World Cup infrastructure spending . Without the tournament , some building plans could slow down . `` The decline in construction activities is going to have an impact on overall GDP growth , '' said Farouk Soussa , chief economist for the Middle East at Citigroup Global Markets . `` If you look long term , the bigger risk is the loss of brand Qatar . '' `` Qatar has ambitions to be the regional hub for congress , finance , tourism , etc . The world cup was an integral part of that plan , '' Soussa added . But Qatari officials say plans will go ahead . `` First we are confident that the world cup will be in Qatar in 2022 . Second nothing will stop , everything will go forward in fast steps , '' said Rashid bin Ali Al-Mansoori , CEO of the Qatar Stock Exchange . `` As we saw in Qatar there are so many projects that started even before the announcement of winning the World Cup ... the hospital , the metro , the stadium , the airports , the new ports , the Lusail cities . '' `` All these are , you know , for the generations to come . It 's not only for one event , '' Al-Mansoori added . Still , the uncertainty sent jitters through Qatar 's financial markets after the initial Sunday Times report emerged . Roughly $ 5 billion was wiped off the main stock exchange in the first two days , although some of those losses were later made back . Yet despite the significant impact of these financial shocks , economists point out the country still has its enormous gas wealth to fall back on . It remains the world largest exporter of liquefied natural gas , a fact that 's not expected to change any time soon . `` Qatar 's cost of extraction is much , much lower than all these new emerging sources are so Qatar always has a cost advantage in terms of providing gas to the market , '' said Soussa . `` The other thing is that of course Qatar has long term contracts in place that are very aggressive in tying in 20 , 30 year contracts , so Its market share is relatively stable , '' he added . Whether this could change for better or worse if the Gulf state loses the right to host the 2022 World Cup , however , remains to be seen .
Corruption allegations have been made regarding Qatar 's successful bid to host the 2022 World Cup . Reports claim Qatari officials paid more than $ 5 million to secure support for his country 's bid . Experts say claims could damage Qatar 's economy but economy should remain strong .