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Report: FBI's FIFA probe includes 2018, 2022 World Cup host awards

The FBI is investigating the FIFA's awarding of hosting rights for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, according to a Reuters report. 

The FBI is investigating the FIFA's awarding of hosting rights for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, according to a report from Reuters

Citing an anonymous U.S. law enforcement source, the report states that a review of the decision to award hosting rights to Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022 is on the docket as part of the sweeping investigation that saw 14 FIFA executives indicted last week. 

Reuters also confirms an earlier report that Sepp Blatter, who shockingly resigned as FIFA president on Tuesday, is a target in the FBI's investigation. 

Previously, there was not any indication that U.S. authorities were specifically investigating the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, though Swiss authorities stated early on that an inquiry into the hosting awards was on their docket. 

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The 2018 and 2022 World Cups were awarded together, with Russia winning 2018 over a bid from England and joint bids from Portugal/Spain and Netherlands/Belgium. The 2022 World Cup went to Qatar over bids from the United States, Australia, Japan, and South Korea. The votes for both hosts have been heavily criticized in both cases, with allegations of corruption and bribery in exchange for votes coming from multiple sources.