Zurich, Dec 3: The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has selected Russia and Qatar as the host nations for World Cup 2018 and 2022 respectively.

Both these nation have never hosted for World Cup, which is believed as one of the biggest sporting events in the world. The 22 members of the FIFA executive committee casted their votes on Thursday, Dec 2 to select the host nations.

Russia won the bid with a tough competition from England, and the combine bid of Spain-Portugal and Netherlands-Belgium.

"You have entrusted us with FIFA World Cup for 2018, and I just can promise, we all can promise you will never regret. Let us make history together," Russia's deputy prime minister, Igor Shuvalov said after winning the bid.

The middle East desert nation Qatar is the smallest country to host the World Cup. It bagged the 2022 bid from other candidates, United States, Australia, Japan and Korea.

"Thank you for believing in change, thank you for believing in expanding the game, thank you for giving Qatar a chance, and we will not let you down. You will be proud of us, you will be proud of the Middle East and I promise you this," the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Al-Thani, said.

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