Russia will host the 2018 World Cup; Qatar was selected as host of the 2022 World Cup
- Russia will host the 2018 World Cup
- Qatar will host the 2022 World Cup
It was chosen Thursday by FIFA's executive committee over England and joint bids by Spain-Portugal and Netherlands-Belgium.
Russia won despite the absence of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in Zurich. At the last minute, he declined to make a final pitch for his country.
Qatar was selected as host of the 2022 World Cup, beating out a bid by the United States to bring soccer's showcase back to America for the first time since 1994.
FIFA's executive committee choose Qatar over the U.S., Australia, Japan and South Korea in a secret vote Thursday.
