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.
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