Russia and Qatar to Host 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups

Russia and Qatar will host the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups respectively. Both first time hosts were announced earlier this morning by FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter in Zurich, Switzerland.

Here are excerpts from the official announcement of the hosts from the FIFA.com:

The FIFA Executive Committee has chosen Russia to host the 2018 FIFA World Cupâ„¢, while the 2022 FIFA World Cupâ„¢ was awarded to Qatar. FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter announced the result of the FIFA Executive Committee’s secret vote on Thursday, 2 December 2010 in Zurich’s Messe…

England, Netherlands and Belgium, Spain and Portugal, and Russia all submitted bids for the right to stage the 2018 finals. Both England and Spain are previous FIFA World Cup hosts, with the 1966 tournament on English soil ending in the Three Lions’ only world crown to date. The Iberians staged the 1982 edition of world football’s showpiece event, when the Trophy was won by Italy…

Five candidates were bidding to stage the 2022 edition of the world’s greatest sporting event. As well as eventual winners Qatar, Australia, Korea Republic, Japan and USA also submitted bids for the highly-sought after hosting rights. USA, Japan and Korea had all previously staged the FIFA World Cup finals, with Japan and Korea becoming the tournament’s first joint-hosts back in 2002. The 1994 finals took place in the US.

2018 FIFA WORLD CUP VOTING
1st round: England 2 (eliminated), Netherlands-Belgium 4; Spain-Portugal 7; Russia 9
2nd round: Netherlands-Belgium 2; Spain-Portugal 7; Russia 13 (Russia obtain absolute majority)

2022 FIFA WORLD CUP VOTING
1st round: Australia 1 (eliminated); Japan 3; United States 3; South Korea 4; Qatar 11
2nd round: Japan 2 (eliminated); South Korea 5; United States 5; Qatar 10
3rd round: South Korea 5 (eliminated); United States 6; Qatar 11
4th round: United States 8; Qatar 14