Russia Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is set to head Russia’s delegation at the FIFA meeting in Zurich in December, where the hosts of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups will be chosen, Russian media reported yesterday.

“Prime Minister Putin promised to come to Zurich on December 2, when the FIFA executive board will decide the World Cup hosts,” the media quoted Russian republic of Tatarstan president Rustam Minnihanov as saying.

The presence of the Russian strongman – widely credited for securing the 2014 Winter Olympic Games for his country after making a flying visit to lobby in Guatemala City where the decision was announced – will boost his country’s chances to win the right to host football’s global showpiece.

As Russian president, Putin headed the country’s delegation at an International Olympic Committee meeting in Guatemala that resulted in the southern resort of Sochi winning the right to host the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Then, Putin gave an unprecedented and impassioned speech in English that was widely seen as tipping the balance in favour of Russia’s bid.

Earlier this year, Putin pledged Russia would scrap visas if it hosted the World Cup in 2018 or 2022, giving his impassioned backing to its bid to host the showpiece for the first time.

The Russian Prime Minister also promised that football fans will have the right to travel free on public transport during the event.

England, Australia, the United States and joint bids from Spain and Portugal and Belgium and the Netherlands are the other candidates for the right to host the 2018 tournament.

Japan, South Korea, Australia and Qatar – all members of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) – have submitted bids for the 2022 event only.