( CNN ) -- FIFA has cast doubts on the hopes of several countries bidding to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cup tournaments in a technical evaluation report released by soccer 's governing body on Wednesday . Russia , seeking to host football 's premier event for the first time in 2018 , was criticized for its limited transport options -- which may cause problems due to `` the country 's vastness and remoteness ' '' the report said . Its information and communications technology needs to be upgraded , while 13 of its proposed 16 stadiums will be started from scratch and its accommodation plan suggests `` a dependence on construction and modernization in the hotel sector . '' Russia received a `` low risk '' legal rating , as did its main European rivals England and Spain-Portugal , but the Belgium-Netherlands joint bid was marked `` medium risk '' . England , the 1966 host , received a mainly favorable evaluation but it failed to meet FIFA 's requirements for venue-specific training sites and accommodation . The Spain-Portugal bid also fell short in required contracted venue-specific training sites , but it has an advantage over England in that there are no government restrictions on media rights . The Belgium-Netherlands bid fell short in team facility and accommodation requirements , and did not supply the necessary government guarantees to satisfy FIFA 's protection program needs . Of the 2022 candidates , Qatar 's bid was highlighted as having the most shortfalls -- mainly due to the small size of the country , its excessively hot climate during the tournament months of June-July , and the need to start most construction from scratch . `` The fact that 10 out of the 12 stadiums are located within a 25-30 kilometer radius could represent an operational and logistical challenge , '' the report said . `` Any delay in the completion of the transport projects could impact FIFA 's tournament operations . Moreover , it appears to be difficult to test a transport concept prior to the event under conditions comparable to the World Cup . `` The fact that the competition is planned in June-July , the two hottest months of the year in this region , has to be considered as a potential health risk for players , officials , the FIFA family and spectators , and requires precautions to be taken . '' The Qatar bid was praised for a novel aspect to its stadium plans , which would see modular sections used to build 22 grounds around the world in developing countries . Its time-zone difference of three hours from Europe means it rated higher in terms of television revenue -- an area where rivals Australia , South Korea and Japan fell down . Australia 's geographical size was also highlighted as a potential problem , while it failed to meet FIFA 's accommodation requirements , but it was rated a low legal risk . The United States ' size was not deemed to be problematic given the competitiveness of its air industry , but the report noted temporary transport would have to be provided to and from most of the proposed stadiums . The U.S. government did not provide the necessary guarantee , but FIFA said the country 's past experience in hosting major sports events -- including the 1994 World Cup -- had proved its willingness to make material concessions '' and `` accommodate the concerns of event organizers . '' The U.S. bid had the highest projected tickets sold of almost five million , and the report said `` TV ratings and media rights in the Americas are likely to be higher . '' Japan and South Korea are seeking to stage the event for the second time , having been co-hosts in 2002 . Japan 's bid focused on innovative high-tech aspects , and was praised for its facilities and transport , though its government did not provide the required guarantees and it was rated a medium legal risk . South Korea , which hopes to stage some games in the North , met most requirements but received one black mark in that `` the majority of FIFA 's constituent target groups would be accommodated in two or three-star quality standard rooms . '' It was given a low legal risk rating , but FIFA said its broadcasting law `` adversely affects the free and unrestricted exploitation of media rights '' and therefore needs to be suspended . FIFA 's executive committee members , who have been lobbied by all the candidates and visited their facilities , will vote to decide the hosts for both tournaments on December 2 . Other factors apart from the technical requirements have historically played a part in awarding hosting rights . FIFA took the 2010 tournament to South Africa despite a lack of existing infrastructure in a bid to develop football on the continent , having done the same in the U.S. in 1994 . Meanwhile , FIFA 's ethics committee will announce on Thursday the fate of the two executive committee members accused of offering to sell their World Cup votes , the UK Press Association reported on Wednesday . Nigeria 's Amos Adamu and Oceania president Reynald Temarii were last month provisionally suspended along with four other FIFA officials following an undercover investigation by British newspaper the Sunday Times . The ethics committee also investigated claims of illegal collusion between bid candidates at its three-day hearing in Switzerland this week .
FIFA report highlights potential problems in World Cup bids lodged by nine countries . Qatar 's 2022 application appears most unlikely due to country 's small size and infrastructure . Russia , Australia and U.S. may have problems due to geographical `` vastness '' FIFA worried that several countries ' governments did not give required guarantees .