We are just hours away from the start of the 2018 World Cup in Russia and one of the biggest talking points has been the COST of the competition: -- the most expensive World Cup ever. And yet even so, there are still some questions about whether the stadiums are up to scratch. Dan Ashby examines whether Russians are getting a bang for their roubles.

Hosting the biggest footballing festival on earth, always comes with a cost. So too is it a chance for a new look. Russia has pumped more than four billion dollars into upgrading stadiums. But money hasn't solved all its problems. In Yekaterinburg, FIFA's requirement for extra seating means some fans sit outside. And last year, Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo even complained about the pitch in St Petersburg too.

ANDREI KUTEPOV, CHAIRMAN WORLD CUP PREPARATIONS "We can honestly say as people who are developing this sport, that we not only talk, we actually do things. We bring results. Those who visit before the games - and who come generally - they are going to be pleasantly surprised."

DAN ASHBY MOSCOW "In truth, every World Cup has its niggles and very few are deemed a failure. The nature of the World Cup is that it's a party, and most fans will simply have happy memories. But Russia is spending more than any other country on this particular party - and there's much bigger danger, it could be left with the hangover."

In Saransk, less than five thousand people attend the local games. - and yet they now have a 44 thousand seater stadium. The fear is that it could end up empty.

DENIS DAVYDOV, CHIEF ANALYST  NORDEA RESEARCH "Of course, after the tournament is held in cities like Saransk and Yekaterinburg, most likely the infrastructure will not only be used for sport. Probably they will be converted to host major economic and social forums, and perhaps other sporting events as well."

The stadiums will be judged on bottlenecks, fan experience and safety. If Russia can avoid major disruption, the fans will likely be happy. But the real test is filling those seats in the decades after. Dan Ashby, CGTN, Moscow.