World News Russia, Qatar get World Cups in 2018 and 2022

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The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) sent the World Cup into uncharted territory Dec. 2, handing the 2018 edition to Russia and the 2022 tournament to the tiny Gulf emirate of Qatar.

Russia's selection came despite the no-show of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, but his influence still had an impact on FIFA's 22 voters as the bid won over England, Spain-Portugal and Belgium-Netherlands.

Qatar brings the World Cup to the smallest host ever but one which has huge financial clout to stage the world's biggest single-sport event. It overcame objections about holding the games in desert heat. It beat the United States in the final round of voting 14-8.

"We go to new lands," FIFA President Sepp Blatter said. Often derided as a conservative organization, the decisions were a big gamble for FIFA, which could have gone for assured sporting and commercial success by handing the event to England and the United States.

Yet despite some criticism in FIFA study reports last month of the Russian and Qatar bids, it decided to go deep into Eastern Europe and right into the Persian Gulf. (AP)

サッカーW杯開催地、18年はロシア、22年はカタールに決定

国際サッカー連盟（FIFA）は12月2日、2018年と22年のワールドカップ開催国に、それぞれロシアとカタールを選んだ。両国ともワールドカップは初開催となる。

Shukan ST: December 17, 2010

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