FIFA President Joseph Blatter is flanked by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov (R) and Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Emir of Qatar, after the announcement that Russia will be the host country for the World Cup 2018 and Qatar the host for the tournament in 2022 in Zurich Thursday. (AP) ZURICH: Russia and Qatar scored stunning victories in the battle for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups here Thursday after an acrimonious bidding war tainted by allegations of corruption. In a historic conclusion to two years of frenzied lobbying, world football chief Sepp Blatter revealed the surprise winners following a secret ballot of 22 FIFA executive committee members in Zurich. The announcement means the World Cup will be staged in two countries which have never hosted the event before following the 2014 tournament in Brazil. “We go to new lands,” FIFA President Sepp Blatter said. Russia prevailed in the 2018 race after upsetting England - which was knocked out in the first round of voting after mustering a mere two votes - and joint bids from Spain/Portugal and Belgium/Netherlands. The outcome represented an unexpected comeback for Russia, whose campaign had believed to be in trouble after Prime Minister Vladimir Putin declined to join the lobbying effort in Switzerland. Putin however jetted into Zurich late Thursday to congratulate FIFA and the Russian bid team on the result. “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,” Putin said. “We are honored by your decision. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Soccer is popular all over the world especially in Russia.” Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov said FIFA would not regret handing the sporting showpiece to his country after being handed the World Cup by Blatter following announcement of the result. But the shock of the day came in the 2022 race, where Qatar beat off stiff competition from the United States, Australia and Asian rivals South Korea and Japan in a remarkable result. Qatar 2022 bid President Mohammed bin Hamad Al-Thani said his country's victory had defied the odds. “We started off being written off, being the unconventional bid. And no-one thought we had a chance to win,” he said. “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.” Qatar's win came despite serious reservations being raised by a FIFA technical report about the logistical problems of staging the football tournament in the Gulf during the searing heat of the summer months. Yet it seems Qatar, who have never played in a World Cup, will have its work cut out convincing sceptical fans of its worthiness to host the tournament. Even US President Barack Obama, who had recorded a personal appeal in support of the beaten American bid, criticized the FIFA ruling. “I think it was the wrong decision,” Obama told reporters in Washington. England 2018 officials were left dejected after a heavyweight lobbying offensive led by Prime Minister David Cameron, heir to the throne Prince William and football icon David Beckham had little effect. “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,” Cameron told reporters. “But it turns out that's not enough.” “What did we expect? FIFA, as far as I'm concerned, is full of people who say ‘yes' to your face and ‘no' behind your back,” former England manager Graham Taylor told BBC radio. “England have little or no influence.” Qataris rejoice Qataris danced along the Doha waterfront Thursday and used the symbol of the last World Cup - the vuvuzela - to blast their joy at being named host of the 2022 tournament. “We won! We won!” cried revelers in Qatar's capital, while others broke into traditional Arabic dance and songs. Some boats off Doha's port shot off red flares in celebration. On a Qatar Airways flight from Dubai to Doha, the pilot went on the intercom to tell passengers the “great news” of Qatar's selection. Outdoor screens were set up in three locations around Doha to watch the selection announcement in Zurich. Security forces in Qatar typically keep tight controls in the capital, but they made no moves to tone down the celebrations.
