Skip to main content
Come Fan with UsWednesday, June 24, 2026

World Cup 2018, 2022: FIFA Preparing To Announce, Speculation Has Russia, Qatar Winning

If you buy something from a link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.

The announcement was scheduled to start five minutes ago, but after news that we would have a significant delaycomes word that reporters are being led into the auditorium in Zurich. FIFA is preparing to announce the winners of the hosting rights for World Cup 2018 and World Cup 2022:

Finally let in auditorium for announcement. FIFA ExCo voters done casting ballots, milling in front. http://yfrog.com/3wu9x01jless than a minute ago via Twitter for iPhone

That’s the good news. The bad news for those supporting the England and United States proposals: Early speculation holds neither won their bids.

A study from Russian paper Izvestia claims committee voting records points to a tied vote for the 2018 Cup, with Sepp Blatter’s preference for a Russian World Cup potentially swaying the choice.

Thin, I know, and perhaps this is only a little less so, a tweet from Tom Dart (The Times of London) saying Sky Sports (a fellow England-based media outlet) has unconfirmed reports that Qatar has won 2022:

Sky Sports News citing "unconfirmed reports" that Qatar have won #wc2022less than a minute ago via web

It’s all in good fun until it becomes official, but perhaps the same people informing Sky Sports also got word to the money men. That would explain Qatar’s surge to William Hill favorites.

See More:

More in General

GeneralFromPosting and Toasting
An SB Nation New Yorker needs our helpAn SB Nation New Yorker needs our help
GeneralFromPosting and Toasting
General
Sabastian Sawe breaks 2-hour barrier, shatters marathon world recordSabastian Sawe breaks 2-hour barrier, shatters marathon world record
General

The mythical two-hour mark was broken at the London Marathon.

By Bernd Buchmasser
A Huge Dog
THE HISTORY OF CHARGING THE MOUND, EPISODE 1THE HISTORY OF CHARGING THE MOUND, EPISODE 1
Play
General
Super Bowl 60 coin toss resultsSuper Bowl 60 coin toss results
General

The Seahawks and Patriots will open the Super Bowl with the coin toss to determine who starts with the ball. We have the full coin toss results for Super Bowl 60.

By David Fucillo
General
Marc Marquez completes a comeback for the agesMarc Marquez completes a comeback for the ages
General

MotoGP’s Marc Marquez completed a comeback for the ages with his 2025 title

By Mark Schofield
General
How to make sure SBNation.com appears in your Google search resultsHow to make sure SBNation.com appears in your Google search results