FIFA to announce 2018 and 2022 host nations

Pretoria - FIFA is due to announce the host countries for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup tournament later today.

A total of 22 FIFA executive committee members will vote and make the announcement at the world football governing body headquarters in Zurich at 5pm, South African time.

The executive committee will first vote for the 2018 host country and then the host of the 2022 global showpiece.

Countries bidding to host the 2018 World Cup finals are England, Russia and two joint bids by the Netherlands/Belgium and Spain/Portugal.

The nations in contention for the 2022 event include Japan, Qatar, South Korea and the United States of America.