QATAR has been accused of paying hundreds of "fake fans" to parade for the cameras ahead of the World Cup.

Footage has emerged of football "supporters" from across the globe filling the streets of the Qatari capital Doha - a week before the tournament kicks off.

Qatar Living - dubbed the country’s first official community platform on TikTok - has been posting videos of "fans" from different countries gathered in their hundreds with flags, painted faces, and banners.

It's not clear whether the fans are migrants workers who live in Qatar and have been partying early, or whether the parades have been staged by authorities.

One clip shows a sea of supposed Brazil fans waving flags in Doha Corniche - the waterfront promenade in the city - and others show supporters from Portugal, Argentina, Ghana, Cameroon and Tunisia.

Another post appears to show England fans chanting and playing the drums as they march through the streets holding a banner which says: "It's coming home."

The behaviour of the supporters appears to be carefully curated and staged - and questions have been raised about the legitimacy of the fans.

Some have accused of Qatar of orchestrating the parades using "fake" supporters - and questioned why fans have arrived in their masses more than a week before the World Cup starts.

Others social media users claimed to have spotted the same "fans" in separate videos showing their support for different countries.

Some also pointed out that there were no female supporters in the crowds.

Supporters' groups have branded the move a "sinister, distasteful" marketing exercise that looks to whitewash the tiny kingdom's appalling human rights record.

But Qatar is desperate to present a positive image of itself during the flagship tournament and has paid David Beckham millions to act as an ambassador for the hosts.