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Your support makes all the difference.Russia will host the 2018 World Cup - here PA Sport's chief reporter Martyn Ziegler looks at the strengths and weaknesses of the successful bid.
STRENGTHS
::A new territory for the World Cup - something which appeals strongly to FIFA president Sepp Blatter.
::Carried out an impressive campaign with lobbyists with excellent FIFA connections.
::Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's political clout was a major plus even though he did not attend the vote.
::Huge building programme would leave a fantastic legacy from a World Cup.
WEAKNESSES
::Judged a medium operational risk by FIFA's inspectors and air transport a high risk.
::Huge building programme carries its own challenges.
::Enormous size of the country not great for fans.
::Struggled to shake off impression that racism among Russian fans is a problem.
::Putin skipping the announcement in Zurich could have been considered a snub.
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