Football: Valcke confirms Russia, Qatar will host 2018, 2022 World Cups

ZURICH (AFP) - FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke on Friday confirmed Russia and Qatar will host the World Cups in 2018 and 2022 respectively, despite the on-going corruption scandal affecting football's governing body.

Swiss police made dawn raids in Zurich last Wednesday when seven FIFA officials were arrested on charges of receiving more than $150 million in bribes.

A separate criminal investigation into how the 2018 and 2022 World Cups were allocated has also begun, but Valcke confirmed Russia and Qatar will host the next two finals, as far as FIFA is confirmed.

"Yes, when you ask me the question today, the 2018 World Cup will be played in Russia, then in Qatar four years later, from all the information we currently have," said Valcke.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.