World Cup 2018 goes to Russia. Qatar will host 2022.

So the verdict is out.

“For 2018 and 2022 we go to new lands, because the FIFA World Cup has never been in eastern Europe or the Middle East.” says FIFA’s president Joseph Blatter.

Yeah, we’ll pretend that is the reason since there is absolutely nothing one can do about it. And I say this really in regards to Qatar, not Russia. But now that what is done is done, I will put my preliminary thoughts on what I foresee for these two World Cups.

Russia 2018
The Russian bid was the winner ahead of England, Spain-Portugal and Holland-Belgium to host the 2018 event. It should be a good World Cup and I do not believe accomodation will be an issue, nor security, nor transportation. Overall costs should be fine, like in Germany. I have to say that, in my opinion, Russia was my last choice.

Qatar 2022
This is the absolute proof that money can buy a World Cup. Qatar hosting the World Cup is just wrong, especially when they were running against the US, Australia and Japan / South Korea. A country with no football culture whatsoever, the size of a peanut, and which seemed to enter the race just to prove everyone wrong should not be granted a World Cup. But it did. And FIFA’s pockets are now smiling. The 2022 World Cup in Qatar will be so expensive that I believe FIFA will have worse ticketing problems than they had in South Africa. The heat will be almost unbearable – imagine playing in 40C degrees? And will football change and touch Qatar? We hope so.

Looking forward…

The breakdown of the votes:

2018 FIFA World Cup™

Round 1: England 2 votes, Netherlands/Belgium 4 votes, Spain/Portugal 7 votes and Russia 9 votes (as no absolute majority was reached, the candidate with least amount of votes, England, was eliminated)

Round 2: Netherlands/Belgium 2 votes, Spain/Portugal 7 votes and Russia 13 votes (Russia obtained an absolute majority)

2022 FIFA World Cup™

Round 1: Australia 1 vote, Japan 3 votes, Korea Republic 4 votes, Qatar 11 votes, USA 3 votes (Australia eliminated)

Round 2: Japan 2 votes, Korea Republic 5 votes, Qatar 10 votes and USA 5 votes (Japan eliminated)

Round 3: Korea Republic 5 votes, Qatar 11 votes, USA 6 votes (Korea Republic eliminated)

Round 4: Qatar 14 votes and USA 8 votes (Qatar obtained an absolute majority)

Related posts:

1. FIFA unveils the confirmation for 2018 World Cup bid.
2. Power Corrupts: Why England Failed? (Again)
3. Photo: Holland and Belgium present the logos for their 2018 / 2022 World Cup bid.
4. World Cup 2018: Portugal wants to bid.
5. Photo: Spain, Russia and South Africa’s new kit for World Cup 2010