Qatar 2022 have slashed their World Cup budget "between 40 and 50 per cent" and may only use eight venues for the tournament ©Getty Images

Qatar 2022 have slashed their World Cup budget by "between 40 and 50 per cent" and may only use eight venues for the tournament, a leading official within the Organising Committee has claimed.

Hassan Al Thawadi, the secretary general of the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, told CNN Money they now expect infrastructure to cost $8 billion (£6.4 billion/€7.5 billion) to $10 billion (£8 billion/€9.4 billion).

The Qatari revealed organisers were looking at staging matches in eight stadiums across the country, all-but one of which are being built from scratch.

If the proposal comes to fruition, it would represent the lowest number of venues used at a World Cup since the 1978 edition of FIFA's quadrennial showpiece, hosted by Argentina.

Qatar, awarded the 2022 World Cup in December 2010, had originally put forward 12 stadiums in their bid.

Al Thawadi claimed the budget had been reduced to "ensure there is financial responsibility in relation to the infrastructure relating to the World Cup" amid ongoing fears of spiralling costs for major events, such as football's World Cup and the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"That's why we had set an initial budget early on and made a commitment towards reducing it as the market became clearer, as the project became clearer, as we define the scope," he told CNN Money.

Work has begun on the Lusail Stadium, due to host the 2022 World Cup final ©Getty Images
Work has begun on the Lusail Stadium, due to host the 2022 World Cup final ©Getty Images

The news comes as work began on the Lusail Stadium, the 80,000-seater venue which is scheduled to host the 2022 World Cup final.

The venue, located around 20 kilometres north of capital city Doha, is also due to stage the opening match of the tournament.

Officials have expressed their confidence that it will be completed by 2020.

It has been claimed the look of the stadium, designed by British architects Foster and Partners, will be unveiled later this year.

One of the main criticisms levelled at Qatar 2022 has centered on the treatment of migrant workers who are helping construct the stadiums.

"FIFA has not yet agreed on the final number and we are in discussions with them to finalise the final number of stadiums that will fit the operating model of Qatar 2022," said Al Thawadi.

"We are moving ahead with eight stadiums and in case discussions go on there might be an extra stadium to be developed."