FIFA today announced Russia had beaten off challenges from England, plus joint bids from Spain/Portugal and Holland/Belgium, to land the right to host the footballing spectacle.

Turkey boss Hiddink was in Zurich for today's announcement as part of the bid team for Holland and Belgium. But having coached the Russians between 2006 and 2010, he is aware how much this will mean for the nation.

"I was in Zurich to promote the Holland/Belgium bid so I am disappointed that Russia has won," he said. "But if anyone other than us had to win it, I would have chosen Russia.

"This is a huge boost for football there. For all those beautiful stadiums and for the Russian economy. It could very well be that many international companies will invest there now."

Holland's prime minister, Mark Rutte, also congratulated the Russians on their successful bid.

In a message on Twitter, he wrote: "Our World Cup bid for 2018 has unfortunately not been successful. In sport there can only be one winner so well done Russia.

"If you don't try, you don't succeed. This is something for Holland and Belgium - just go ahead and take risks."

Ruud Gullit, chairman of Holland and Belgium's joint bid, was more subdued after learning they had missed out on the right to stage the 2018 event.

"I'm certainly disappointed," he said. "Today I had the feeling that we could get it.

"We put down a good bid and presentation, but apparently it wasn't good enough for the executive committee."

And Belgium's assistant coach, Marc Wilmots, was critical of the decision to hand Russia and Qatar, who will stage the 2022 event, the hosting rights.

"Russia is a political choice, Qatar an economic one," he said. "We could say that the biggest loser here is sport in the allocation of the World Cups.

"Everyone knows from the start there will be more losers than winners. We fall into that first category but we must remain sporting and accept our defeat with dignity."