ZURICH (AP) - Russia will host the 2018 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.
The 2022 host was to be announced minutes later. The U.S. was competing with Australia, Japan, Qatar and South Korea.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.