After much debate and speculation, Russia has been chosen to host the 2018 World Cup, while Qatar has been selected to host the 2022 event. Both selections come as a surprise, as England the United States had been favored to get the two bids.
The move is a bold decision by FIFA to expand into unchartered territory as this will be the first time that Russia or Qatar has hosted a World Cup.
The Russian bid was beat out other European rivals – including England, Spain/Portugal and Holland/Belgium. Qatar’s 2022 selection dashed the hopes of Japan, the United States, Australia, and South Korea.
The decisions were made following a secret ballot of FIFA’s 22 executive members in Zurich.