Countries to learn World Cup fate
Baku, December 2 (AZERTAC) A secret ballot of 22 executive members of football`s governing body Fifa on Thursday will decide the hosts of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
England, Spain/Portugal, Russia and Belgium/Netherlands were making final presentations as they fight for the right to be the 2018 hosts.
Australia, the United States, South Korea, Japan and Qatar are competing for the 2022 tournament.
The results are announced in the Swiss city of Zurich at 1500 GMT.
Controversy has dogged the build-up to the ballot, with the Fifa executive committee reduced from 24 members after the suspension of two voters.
Nigerian Amos Adamu and Reynald Temarii, of Tahiti, were given bans of three years and one year respectively after claims in the Sunday Times newspaper that they were prepared to sell their votes for the 2018 tournament.
On Monday, the BBC`s Panorama programme alleged three other Fifa officials - Nicolas Leoz, Issa Hayatou and Ricardo Teixeira - took bribes in the 1990s.
Fifa president Sepp Blatter has brushed off the controversies, while admitting it may have been a mistake to hold the vote for two tournaments at the same time.
England, which last staged the World Cup when gaining their sole victory in 1966, were long-time favourites for the 2018 competition.
But it was feared corruption claims about the voting process which surfaced in the British media could have a negative impact, and Russia built momentum in recent weeks to stage the tournament for the first time.
In the final days, England have fought back with Prime Minister David Cameron, Prince William and David Beckham leading a strong delegation to Switzerland.
Russia`s hopes have been knocked by the absence of their Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, but the Spain/Portugal joint bid is considered a strong contender, with the Netherlands/Belgium rated outsiders.
A host of celebrities and sporting stars have been backing England`s campaign.
"To win would be unbelievable," said current England captain Rio Ferdinand, 32.
"I`m old enough to remember when we had the last championships here - Euro 96 - and that will live with me forever.
"It will enable us to invest in the communities and the facilities that would have been put in place for the future. We would reap the rewards in getting more young people into sports."
The four 2018 bidders were making their final formal presentations on Thursday morning against a backdrop of intense last-minute lobbying.
Netherlands and Belgium went first, with the emphasis on a compact, enviromentally-friendly bid.
Spain and Portugal were second up, with England`s big moment at 1000 GMT, before Russia presents its World Cup case an hour later.
Lord Coe, who was key to London`s successful 2012 Olympic bid, is a 2018 board member and has been providing strategic advice.
"There may well be Fifa executive committee members who think they are absolutely fixed in their view, and this is where they are going to go, but a really strong presentation, with a really clear message and some emotional appeal can make a difference," said Coe.
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