Money was important, but Qatar showed meticulous planning
By David Owen in Zurich
December 2 – Money, money, money – Qatar’s audacious yet hugely well-resourced bid could not have won the 2022 World Cup without it.
How Russia won the 2018 World Cup
By David Owen in Zurich
December 2 – The Spanish bid chief executive officer Miguel Ángel López was part right: all the fish WERE sold – only not to the Spanish.
Rodney Marsh: It was almost as if we were being dismissed, as if we didn’t count for anything
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I said last month that England had a snowball’s chance in hell of winning the 2018 World Cup finals, but it gives me no satisfaction to have been proved right.
I thought Russia winning the 2018 finals was a fait accompli. And Qatar getting the 2022 finals will be devastating for the US domestic game. FIFA have clearly taken a decision to take their finals further afield.
England had the best presentation –
The voters lied to us claims angry England 2018 bid chief
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
December 2 – So much for top-ranked technical and evaluation reports, Princes and Prime Ministers, an impeccable final presentation, words of commendation from FIFA President Sepp Blatter, history and tradition.
Tiny Qatar awarded 2022 World Cup
By Duncan Mackay in Zurich
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
December 2 – Qatar were awarded the 2022 World Cup by FIFA’s Executive Committee, it was announced here today.
Russia awarded 2018 World Cup as England knocked out in first round
By Duncan Mackay in Zurich
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
December 2 – Russia were awarded the 2018 World Cup as England were knocked out in the first round of voting here today.
Putin stand-in quotes Churchill as Russians go on charm offensive
By David Owen in Zurich
December 2 – Hosting the World Cup would help Russians in their quest to build a new country and overcome the difficulties they faced in the 20th century, First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov told FIFA today, as Russia brought down the curtain on an intensive two days of bid presentations.
Teixeria facing court appearance over money laundering allegations
By Mihir Bose in Zurich
December 2 – Ricardo Teixeria the FIFA executive member from Brazil, whose vote could decide the hosts for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, faces a date in court back home.
David Owen: Compelling night of theatre as schmoozing hits new heights
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In one corner of the room in one of Switzerland’s plushest hotels, the unmistakable figure of Chuck Blazer, FIFA’s Tweeting Executive Committee member, holds court.
On the other side of a large Christmas tree, a Boys’ Own triumvirate of David Beckham, Gary Lineker and Fabio Capello cluster around a small coffee table.
Nearby, English Premier League boss Richard Scudamore has been doing his bit, engaging the Asian Football Confederation chairman and Qatari ExCo member Mohamed Bin Hammam in earnest conversation for quite some time.
Eddie makes poignant impression as England roll out their big guns
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
December 2 – England’s 2018 World Cup bid team rolled out their big guns to make a final plea to FIFA here today but it was a 27-year-old from a disadvantaged background who made the most poignant impression.
Spanish bid leader hits out at English media and praises FIFA Executive Committee
By Duncan Mackay in Zurich
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
December 2 -·Angel Maria Villar Llona, who has conducted a one-man campaign on behalf of Spain and Portugal’s joint bid to host the 2018 World Cup, today faced head-on allegations that they were involved in collusion.
Underdogs catch romantic spirit but lack heavyweight punch
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
December 2 – Underdogs Holland and Belgium kicked off the 2018 World Cup presentations to FIFA today but lacked sufficient punch to suggest they might pull in extra support later in the day.
Putin absence gives hope to World Cup 2018 bidders
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
December 1 – The race to stage the 2018 and 2022 World Cups reaches a nail-biting climax tomorrow with Spain/Portugal and England emerging as potential opponents for the final round of bidding for 2018 and the United States out in front for the latter tournament.
Exclusive: World Cup voting set to remain a mystery
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
December 1 – The nine bidders involved in tomorrow’s 2018 and 2022 World Cup ballots may never know how many votes they won and lost during the entire process.
Clinton fails to persuade as US miss a trick
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
December 1 – It started optimistically with phrases like “a true melting pot of passion, dreams and hope” and being the most diverse nation on earth.