MOSCOW, March 13 (RIA Novosti) - Russia has officially submitted bids to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup, the head of the Russian Football Union (RFU) said on Friday.
"We are keeping up the fight. Today the RFU sent its application, and FIFA should receive it by March 16," Alexei Sorokin said.
FIFA began accepting applications to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups on January 15. The soccer authorities in bidding countries had to officially inform FIFA of their intention to bid by February 2, submit their application by March 16, and sign a bidding agreement by December 11.
Indonesia, England, Qatar, the U.S., Japan, Spain/Portugal and Belgium/the Netherlands/Luxembourg have also stated their plans to bid.
The 2010 and 2014 World Cups will be held in South Africa and Brazil, respectively. The host countries of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups will be announced in December 2010.
