Russia and Qatar awarded 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups
The FIFA Executive Committee has chosen Russia to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup™, while the 2022 FIFA World Cup™ was awarded to Qatar. FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter announced the result of the FIFA Executive Committee's secret vote on Thursday 2 December 2010 in Zurich’s Messe. In lauding the victorious nations, the FIFA President also made a point of praising those who missed out. He said: “have to say thanks to the Executive Committee of FIFA because for 2018 and 2022 we go to new lands, because the FIFA World Cup has never been in Eastern Europe or the Middle East. So, I'm a happy president when we speak of the development of football. "But I have to give big compliments to all the bidders for the big job they have done and the messages they have delivered. All have delivered the message that football is more than just a game. Football is not only about winning; it is also a school of life where you must learn to lose, and that is not easy.” England, Netherlands and Belgium, Spain and Portugal, and Russia all submitted bids for the right to stage the 2018 finals. Both England and Spain are previous FIFA World Cup hosts, with the 1966 tournament on English soil ending in the Three Lions' only world crown to date. The Iberians staged the 1982 edition of world football’s showpiece event, when the Trophy was won by Italy. (…) < http://www.fifa.com/ > Acesso em 02/07/2013.
“The Iberians staged the 1982 edition of world football’s showpiece event”