Russia will host the 2018 World Cup following Thursday’s vote in Zurich, while the 2022 finals will be held in Qatar.
England had been installed as favourites for 2018 following their presentation on Thursday morning, but were beaten off by the Russian effort, with joint bids from Spain and Portugal and the Netherlands and Belgium also missing out.
Qatar, meanwhile, were then announced as the 2022 hosts by Fifa president Sepp Blatter. They were victorious over the United States, Australia, Japan and South Korea.
Both Russia and Qatar will be hosting the finals for the first time.
A secret ballot of Fifa's 22 executive members decided the outcome of the vote in Zurich, with the Russian bid - fronted by, among others, Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov, national team captain and Arsenal star Andriy Arshavin and Yelena Isinbayeva, the pole vault world-record holder - coming out on top. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin was not present in Switzerland for the vote but is expected to now fly in.
The bid focused heavily on the legacy hosting the world’s biggest sporting event would have on Russia and that seems to have been the deciding factor in their favour as they took 13 votes (four secured in the second round) with12 needed for victory.
The England bid, spearheaded by the likes of British Prime Minister David Cameron, Prince William and former England captain David Beckham, had looked to be the strongest given the stadia and facilities already in place and the country’s long history with the sport.
However it failed, with it suggested that England were eliminated after the first round of voting after receiving just two out of 22 available votes. Much fresh bile is likely to now be aimed at the Lord Triesman scandal and this week’s Panorama programme.
Meanwhile, concerns will be rife after the Qatar 2022 decision, with the small Middle East country having to start most of its infrastructure from scratch and the local heat also a potential huge issue for players.