The two victorious nations represent emerging markets fuelled by natural resources and with plenty of potential as football moves into new frontiers.
Neither nation has ever hosted a World Cup before and both represents new territory for FIFA to conquer.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter said on Thursday: “We go to new lands.
“Never has the World Cup been in Russia and Eastern Europe, and the Middle East and Arabic world have been waiting for a long time so I’m a happy president when we talk about the development of football.”
2018 FIFA World Cup host vote
| Pos | Nation | 1 | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Russia | 9 | 13 |
| 2 | Spain/Portugal | 7 | 7 |
| 3 | Netherlands/Belgium | 4 | 2 |
| 4 | England | 2 | 0 |
| Â | Total Votes | 22 | 22 |
England might have been considered favourites coming into the vote but they didn’t even get past the first round, despite a fine bid and pitch in Zurich.
Russia president Vladimir Putin, who had not attended the announcement in Zurich, said: “A 2018 World Cup will be up to the highest standards, new modern stadiums will be built in time and to perfection: we are eager to do our best for the comfort and safety of our guests.
“We are honoured by your decision. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Soccer is popular all over the world especially in Russia.”
A disappointed England prime minister David Cameron said: “According to FIFA we had the best technical team, no one could identify any risks of coming to England. I think we had the strongest commercial bid and the country is passionate about football. But it turns out that’s not enough.”
Runners-up Spain/Portugal reacted indifferently, with Spain’s World Cup winning coach Vicente del Bosque saying: “We had everything to be able to host the World Cup. But maybe FIFA’s executive committee wanted to expand football to new, more economically powerful territories.”
2022 FIFA World Cup host vote
| Pos | Nation | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Qatar | 11 | 10 | 11 | 14 |
| 2 | USA | 3 | 5 | 6 | 8 |
| 3 | South Korea | 4 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 4 | Japan | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | Australia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Â | Total Votes | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 |
Qatar’s 2022 victory was probably the biggest surprise considering it is a tiny Middle East nation of approximately 1.4 million inhabitants. FIFA’s technical report had been damning on the Qatar bid, citing the close proximity of stadiums, lack of big cities, lack of airports and hot climate as issues.
Nevertheless, Qatar got the nod after an impressive bid campaign with plenty of financial backing to make an Arab World Cup work.
A naturally-delighted Qatari bid president Mohammed bin Hamad Al-Thani said: “We started off being written off, being the unconventional bid. And no-one thought we had a chance to win.
“On behalf of millions living in the Middle East, thank you FIFA for having such bold vision. We have a date with history which is summer 2022.”
The United States had been favourites to win the rights and president Barack Obama expressed his disappointment at missing out when he said: “I think it was the wrong decision.”
Australia, who were also one of the favourites, were knocked out in the first round and Football Federation Australia chairman Frank Lowy said: “I am hugely disappointed, both personally and for all Australians that we have missed out this time.
“I would like to congratulate Qatar for running an impressive campaign and their victory is a great boost for the Asian region.”