The claim brings a new element to a controversy surrounding the Australian Labor government's relationship with Qantas which had lobbied against a Qatar Airways request to increase its flights.

No details are given on the amount proposed in the bid for the club but the price could reach a record US$6 billion, according to reports.

France had come from two goals down to level over 90 minutes with Kylian Mbappe netting twice in two minutes, including an 80th-minute penalty.

The Portuguese suffered a 1-0 defeat by Morocco in Qatar, after Santos started the match by leaving the country's all-time record goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo on the substitutes' bench.

Goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic saved three spot-kicks as Croatia beat Japan in a penalty shootout to reach the quarter-finals for the third time after an enthralling 120-minute contest finished deadlocked at 1-1 on.

Poland had a huge chance in the first half but the France midfield did a great job of cutting the feeding line to Robert Lewandowski, who reduced the arrears with a twice-taken, last-second penalty.

Hostility from the stands was palpable from the start, with a portion of Tunisian supporters at Education City whistling at the French national anthem as it was played before kickoff.

The first-ever all-British clash at a World Cup lacked the drama many had envisaged when Wales sealed their place in Qatar by beating Ukraine in a playoff.

The estimate is markedly higher than previously reported numbers of fatalities connected to the more than US$200 billion spent on stadiums, subway lines and other infrastructure needs.

Ghana’s first-half lead was down to two perfect crosses from the left delivered by the right-footed Jordan Ayew – both perfectly weighted and with the requisite pace to catch out the Korean defence.

It was Morocco's first win at a World Cup since they beat Scotland in 1998.

Qatar showed some flashes of exciting attacking play, but the reigning Asian champions were undone by sloppy defending.