After months and in some cases years of planning, the day had arrived three years ago where the nations that had hoped to host upcoming World Cups would learn their fates.
The tournaments in question were the ones that would take place in 2018 and four years later in 2022.
Going for the earlier of the two were Russia, as well as combined bids from Belgium and the Netherlands and Spain and Portugal. England, who had not held the competition since they were crowned champions back in 1966, were also in the running.
Many felt that after such a long absence, coupled with the facilities available to them, it was time for the English to be awarded another major tournament.
However, FIFA sprung a surprise when they announced that Russia had comfortably won the voting of their board members. Meanwhile, despite the presence of David Cameron, Prince William and David Beckham, England earned just two votes.
If that was a shock, few were prepared for what was to come. Among the candidates for the 2022 installment was the USA, Australia, Qatar, Japan and South Korea.
Due to the fact that the latter two had only previously co-hosted eight years earlier, they were not considered to be major contenders. Unlike the USA and Australia, who were expected to see off what was viewed as a run of the mill bid by Qatar.
Nevertheless, despite temperatures that can reach over 40 degree Celsius during the summer, as well as a lack of stadiums and hotel rooms, the Arab nation received an outright majority of 14 votes in the final round.
Just a week later, FIFA already hinted that they would consider moving that particular tournament to the winter, when the heat would not be as intense. Although a date switch has yet to be confirmed, it is expected to be so in the near future.
Liam Apicella
