What Is 2018 FIFA World Cup bids

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2018 FIFA World Cup bidding process selected Russia as host in December 2010, beating bids from England, Netherlands/Belgium, and Portugal/Spain. Russia received 13 of 22 votes in the final round, securing the right to host the tournament from June 14 to July 15, 2018.

Key Facts

Russia won the 2018 FIFA World Cup hosting rights with 13 votes in the final round of voting.
The host selection was announced on December 2, 2010, in Zurich, Switzerland.
Four bidding groups competed: Russia, Netherlands/Belgium, Portugal/Spain, and England.
FIFA Executive Committee members cast 22 votes during the final selection round.
The 2018 World Cup took place from June 14 to July 15, 2018, across 12 stadiums in 11 Russian cities.

Overview

The 2018 FIFA World Cup bidding process was a global competition among national football associations to host the 21st edition of the tournament. FIFA opened the bidding in 2009, inviting nations to submit proposals for hosting rights, with the final decision made in December 2010.

Four official bids were submitted: Russia, a joint bid from Portugal and Spain, a joint bid from the Netherlands and Belgium, and a solo bid from England. After multiple rounds of evaluation and voting by the FIFA Executive Committee, Russia emerged as the host nation.

Russia’s bid emphasized infrastructure development across 11 cities, promising modern stadiums and transportation upgrades to support the event.
Portugal and Spain jointly proposed a shared hosting model, leveraging existing stadiums and a strong football culture across both nations.
Netherlands and Belgium submitted a collaborative bid focused on compact logistics and fan accessibility between neighboring countries.
England’s bid centered on legacy and sustainability, highlighting the country’s football history and stadium readiness.
The evaluation report released by FIFA in November 2010 ranked Russia highest in technical readiness, scoring 4.0 out of 5.

How It Works

The FIFA World Cup bidding process involves multiple stages, including submission, evaluation, and voting by the FIFA Executive Committee. Each bidding nation presents a detailed technical dossier covering stadiums, transportation, accommodation, and security.

Bid Submission: Nations must submit formal applications by the deadline. For 2018, bids were due by May 14, 2009, with technical requirements covering stadiums and infrastructure.
Evaluation Phase: FIFA assessors conduct site visits and analyze proposals. The 2010 evaluation report scored Russia highest in infrastructure planning and government support.
Voting Process: The FIFA Executive Committee votes in rounds, eliminating the lowest bidder each time until one receives a majority. In 2010, 22 members voted.
Confidentiality: Voting is conducted in secret, with no public disclosure of individual ballots. This led to controversy and allegations of corruption in later investigations.
Host Selection: Russia won in the fourth round with 13 votes, surpassing the required majority after England was eliminated in the first round with only two votes.
Post-Selection: The winning nation begins preparations, including stadium construction and visa policies. Russia invested over $11 billion in infrastructure by 2018.

Comparison at a Glance

The following table compares the four 2018 World Cup bids across key criteria:

Bid	Score (FIFA Eval)	Votes in Final Round	Stadiums Proposed	Key Strength
Russia	4.0	13	12	Government backing and infrastructure plan
Portugal/Spain	3.9	7	13	Existing stadiums and football tradition
Netherlands/Belgium	3.8	2	12	Compact geography and fan access
England	3.5	2	9	Stadium readiness and legacy planning
FIFA Average	3.8	N/A	11	Global development impact

The table illustrates that while England scored lowest in the evaluation, Russia’s comprehensive infrastructure plans and strong governmental support gave it an edge. The voting outcome surprised many analysts, especially given England’s historical football prominence.

Why It Matters

The selection of Russia for the 2018 World Cup had significant geopolitical and sporting implications. It marked the first time the tournament was hosted in Eastern Europe, expanding FIFA’s global reach.

Global Exposure: The 2018 World Cup was watched by over 3.5 billion people, boosting Russia’s international visibility.
Economic Impact: Russia’s investment spurred urban development, with 12 stadiums built or renovated at a cost exceeding $11 billion.
Political Controversy: The bid process later faced scrutiny due to corruption allegations, leading to investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Tournament Success: Despite concerns, the event was praised for organization, with 3.03 million tickets sold and high fan satisfaction.
Legacy Projects: Host cities like Moscow and Saint Petersburg saw long-term tourism growth and improved public transport systems.
FIFA Reform: The controversies prompted FIFA to revise its bidding procedures, introducing transparency measures for future tournaments.

The 2018 World Cup bid outcome reshaped how host nations are evaluated, emphasizing transparency and long-term benefits beyond immediate profits.