Decision time

England's presentation has been delivered and now all that remains is the voting and the announcement this afternoon of which country will host the FIFA World Cup in eight years time.

A host of VIPs and renowned personalities from the worlds of sport and politics were present in Zurich for the event, supporting their home nations’ bids. The world’s media also turned out in force, with some 1,000 journalists accredited to cover the event, and nearly 70 TV stations broadcasting live from Zurich.

The candidates for the 2018 FIFA World Cup took to the stage on Thursday morning. Belgium and the Netherlands started the ball rolling, followed by Spain and Portugal, England, and finally Russia. The running order was previously determined by the drawing of lots.

Following the presentations, the FIFA Executive Committee will gather to consider its verdict and vote on the choice of host nation for the forthcoming finals. The announcement is expected at around 3pm, when FIFA President Sepp Blatter will open the envelopes to reveal the names of the winners before a live audience and the global media representatives at Zurich Exhibition Centre.