England and Iberian Bids Lead Russia in 2018 World Cup Race

(ATR) England and Spain-Portugal's "low risk" bids have emerged as the frontrunners in the race for the 2018 World Cup, according to FIFA's evaluations published Wednesday.

Meanwhile, transport concerns for Russia have dealt a blow to its chances -- Around the Rings understands the category is ranked "high risk" in Russia's full inspection dossier sent to FIFA Ex-co members.

Holland-Belgium's outsider status was also confirmed in FIFA's executive summaries outlining the strengths and flaws of the nine bids vying to stage the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

The analyses of the candidates, which followed FIFA inspection visits over the summer, has changed the dynamics of the bidding contest with just 15 days until the FIFA vote in Zurich.

FIFA's inspection chief Harold Mayne-Nicholls says in the 40-page report: "We feel we have accomplished our work in the spirit of integrity, objectiveness and transparency."

Designed to guide the decision-making of FIFA Executive Committee members on Dec. 2, the criticisms in the evaluation reports may still be disregarded when it comes to the secret ballot.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter is expected to offer guidance to Ex-co members at an executive committee meeting on Friday when the full inspection reports, already circulated to them, will be the subject of intense discussions.

Also under discussion will be the outcome of Thursday's ethics committee probe into the cash-for-votes bid bribery scandal involving Ex-co members Amos Adamu and Reynald Temarii, both of whom could be banned from the World Cup vote.

Of the 2018 bidders, England and Spain-Portugal bids are the most satisfied Wednesday after receiving generally positive assessments in the FIFA evaluations.

Previously regarded as the frontrunner in the 2018 race, Russia now faces a battle to convince Ex-co members of the merits of bringing the World Cup to the largest country in the world.

In the 2022 race, FIFA marked Qatar down saying its desert heat posed a "potential health risk for players, officials, the FIFA family and spectators". But the bid countered that "air-cooled solutions for stadiums, training sites, fans zones and other outdoor areas" had addressed concerns.

The USA, seen as the favorite, was ranked only a"medium legal risk" because "neither the government guarantees, the government declaration nor the government legal statement have been provided in compliance with FIFA's requirements.''

FIFA's main problem with the Australian bid was "a risk of a reduction in TV income and, as a result, commercial revenue from Europe and the Americas". Japan's lack of government guarantees and small supply of venue-specific training sites contribute to FIFA's "medium risk" assessment. South Korea's bid was given a good appraisal, although like Australia it highlighted problems in generating TV income.

For a bid-by-bid analysis of the 2018 candidates complete with reaction from bid leadership, visit World Football INSIDER. A full report on FIFA's evaluations of the 2022 bidders will follow later Wednesday on WFI.

Written by Mark Bisson.