Will Russia scupper England’s 2018 bid?

Football FanCast columnist Sunit Thakurta wonders if Russia will scupper England's hopes in the race to host the 2018
World Cup.

The bid to host the coveted 2018 FIFA World Cup has taken a new turn with
Russia entering the fray with a brave last moment bid last week that could well
act as a spoilsport for England's chances in hosting the biggest sporting
tournament after the Olympics. England's chances to host the tournament still
look bright but with Moscow coming out with a clever bid backed by a dedicated
government, one can feel that FIFA may have their task cut out while deciding
on the final outcome. Now let us look at the European prospects for the race to
host football's biggest prize in 2018 and the potential Russian revolution that
could engulf the entire process.

ENGLAND, undoubtedly, are the frontrunners given that the country is looking
to host a world cup for the first time since 1966 and personally I feel that
the country, no matter who the rivals are, would impress Sepp Blatter and FIFA
for the successful bidding. England's sporting and football infrastructure is
something to be proud of and the nation's impressive football tradition is a
hallmark that an organization like FIFA looks at before awarding the
responsibility to host a high profile tournament like the world cup. Secondly,
the hosting of the 2012 London Olympics is a great advertisement and the
successful completion of it would enhance the country's reputation as a true
sporting centre of the world. Yet, there is something that could hinder FIFA
from awarding the prize to the Three Lions. Sepp Blatter, for some time now,
has been at loggerheads with the Premier League citing the difference of
financial prosperity among the league's various divisions and FIFA and the FA
have clashed on various issues in the recent past. Even UEFA President Michel
Platini has a somewhat cold relationship with the English FA, which
understandably, has backed its biggest clubs in the face of UEFA and FIFA
proposed restrictions. Continental support will act as a catalyst in this cast
but it remains to be seen whether UEFA fully backs England. Taking all this
into account there is still a growing feeling among many football quarters that
the final nod on the part of FIFA would be in favour of England given the
country's fight against racism and the community work done by the likes of
Premier League and lower tier professional clubs for the overall development of
grassroot football both in the UK and other far flung places of the world,
particularly Africa and Asia.

SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, have launched a joint bid for hosting the 2018 world cup
and this is certainly a strategic partnership given the recent history for both
the countries in hosting high profile tournaments. Portugal have the pedigree
to host big tournaments as EURO 2004 would testify and Spain's financial
capability aided by the national team's success in EURO 2008 have given a
massive momentum to this joint bid. Furthermore, both the countries enjoy good
support within UEFA and FIFA in addition to the support they get from three
South American countries which could come in handy in the selection process.

BELGIUM AND NETHERLANDS' joint bid may not be the favourites but both have
experience in hosting joint tournaments like EURO 2000 and this bid is a clear
outsider.

RUSSIA's entry do change the landscape
of the bid and the country's big investment capabilities could turn the tide in
their favour. The country, both as the Soviet Union and Russia, never had the
chance to showcase their hosting capabilities and if the bid is backed fully by
a powerful Kremlin, which in all probability will be the case, who knows, the
Russian Bear may finally have the chance to hug the world.