Russia will host the 2018 World Cup competition, as announce by FIFA President Sepp Blatter today. The Russian bid prevailed over bids from three other European challengers, England, Spain/Portugal and Netherlands/Belgium.
It was a big blow to the England bid which was one of the pre-announcement favourites. The England delegation to the FIFA headquarters in Zurich was also accompanied by its major leaders including Prime Minister David Cameron, Prince William and David Beckham while the Russian delegation didn’t even include Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
The job of the host of the 2022 World Cup was also announced at the same time, with the privilege going to Qatar. Both Russia and Qatar will be hosting the prestigious event for the first time.
The voting process took place against a highly charged background after British media outlets made allegations of corruption against a number of FIFA’s executive committee members.
The executive committee, reduced to 22 after two were suspended over the allegations, voted in secret. No details of the counts were made available by FIFA but bid member Gary Lineker told Reuters England had gone out in the first round of voting for 2018, getting only two votes.
Greek Spurs Boy
December 2, 2010 at 8:01 pm
What a disgrace! a country where violence, xenophobia, homophobia and racism are a part of the regular football experience in antiquated stadia with crap infrastructure and crumbling transport links is deemed fit to host the world cup … corruption rules …
AcTech
December 2, 2010 at 8:13 pm
What can you expect from some greek Spud. 🙂 Russia is much more advanced then some euro “passenger” like Greece. Do not be framed in cliche and stop getting all your info from the Fox and BBC.
Vladamir
December 2, 2010 at 8:32 pm
I dont think Greece were bidding were they? The majority of what he says is true anyway, its not a great place to hold the world cup, and as Wikileaks suggested yesterday it is Mafia run. Not really surprising corrupt FIFA gave it to them.
Timlos
December 2, 2010 at 8:37 pm
Now I begin to see why Putin did not go, it had been settled. Pray, how is FIFA different from The U.N? If the representatives in U.N are appointed by their governments and they do their government’s bid why should FIFA be different? If a whole country has to go and lobby some individuals for hosting rights then there is something wrong, afterall, no individual person can host the world cup, so its the government of a country that should be lobbied not an individual. This style definitely gives room to MASSIVE, MASSIVE CORRUPTION AND BLACKMAIL. FIFA’s powers and monopoly DEFINITELY needs to be broken. Federation of International Fraudsters Association. Just my thoughts
dump
December 2, 2010 at 8:41 pm
actech its a shit hole
AcTech
December 2, 2010 at 9:37 pm
dump
are you talking about Greece or Tottenham? 🙂 Because I know that’s not appilcable to Russia. At least to major cities.
I would prefer Australia to be the host though.
treacle
December 2, 2010 at 9:51 pm
AcTech, you know nothing.
He has to be talking about Russia as that is one big corrupt shithole and their cities are the worst. I have spent 2 years working in 4 different cities (for the money) – I will not however include St Petersburg in that criticism – but the rest of the country is dire. I stayed for 2 weeks in a Radisson in Moscow which is known locally as the gangsters hotel – and it sure is, and not a policeman to be seen as they are out taking money from western visitors. Corruption, Corruption, Corruption. And just to put you right Australia weren’t beaten by Russia.
Nick
December 2, 2010 at 11:35 pm
What a disgrace! a country where violence, xenophobia, homophobia and racism are a part of the regular football experience in antiquated stadia with crap infrastructure and crumbling transport links is deemed fit to host the world cup … corruption rules …
written by wladimir…..
Normally I don’t reply on here, but your response made me mad enough to, you have clearly highlighted all the reasons why england is NOT hosting the world cup (nor will it until 2066)
I am not anti English, I am English, just with enough sense to get out of the country…
well done to Russia, I am a bit gutted in a football sense, I will enjoy reading the conspiracy theories 🙂
bergkampfan10
December 2, 2010 at 11:56 pm
im sure many felt cheated when Russia were selected for 2018 (i certainly didnt expect them to win it) but as an australian i felt so bitterly disappointed that we couldnt win the 2022 bid.
how can Qatar, a nation in the middle of the desert, with a population of just 1.5 million, and such a small football fanbase and poor quality national side, host such a big event. they pitched it as a ‘world cup in the middle east’ but honestly i dont see how it will logistically work. in contrast, i felt the Australian bid has been solid.
AntiOnan
December 3, 2010 at 12:11 am
Russia I can understand but Qatar is simply FIFA fellating for money. The Middle East is a hive of homophobia, female repression & lunatic dark age ethics & laws & yet FIFa gave it to a country with less than 2 million population.
Money sure counts at FIFA. I wonder how high were the real bribes.
You an be damn certain that I wont be going to Qatar for anything like most sane politically aware people.
AntiOnan
December 3, 2010 at 12:14 am
Ohh for light entertainment you can always stop over in Riyadh for the Friday beheadings or amputations as I am not certain they stiill do this openly in Qatar.
Vic
December 3, 2010 at 6:28 am
It would be easy just to say Russia and Qatar won the bids because of blatant corruption.
Mainly because it’s true.
England’s bid was openly accepted to be the best in every department. The big argument of “widening football’s frontiers to ensure a legacy” is a smokescreen to allow the FIFA committee to choose whoever pays them most.