England's dream of hosting the 2018 World Cup has been brought crashing down after Russia won the vote in Zurich on Thursday.
World Cup hosting rights for 2018 tournament go to Russia
England's dream of hosting the 2018 World Cup has been brought crashing down after Russia won the vote in Zurich on Thursday afternoon.
Fifa's 22 executive committee members decided that Russia deserved the honour, leaving the rival bids of England, Spain/Portugal and Holland/Belgium in tatters.
Hopes were high that the slick final presentation by England's 2018 team, which included David Beckham, Prince William and Prime Minister David Cameron would be enough to win over Fifa's ExCo.
Yet despite their efforts being immediately applauded by Fifa president Sepp Blatter as 'excellent and remarkable', England were unable to secure the share of the votes required to land the tournament for the first time in 52 years.
Spotlight
With world-class stadia, excellent transport links, solid security arrangements and a nationwide passion for the game, questions will now be raised about how and why the bid failed.
The Panorama programme on the BBC into allegations of corruption within Fifa, screened just three days before the vote, and the recent Sunday Times investigation into 'votes for sale' are sure to fall under the spotlight.
England's bid was supported by an outstanding promotional video featuring contributions from Premier League managers Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger, Harry Redknapp and Roberto Mancini.
Yet despite this, and the frantic last-ditch lobbying from England's 'Three Lions' of Beckham, Prince William and Cameron, the bid fell short and the wait to bring the World Cup to the country for the first time since 1966 goes on.
