[Farm93]

The Sochi events were likely a positive at the time of the voting (December 2010).  The 2018 site was selected before a lot of the building at Sochi was completed.  In late 2009 the Russians were boasting that the major Sochi projects were ahead of schedule.  In 2010 FIFA likely imagined that if Russia would spend that much on minor winter Olympic sports in a small village then they would invest even more for venues and infrastructure in 6-8 major Russian cities for a FIFA World Cup.

Qatar, on the other hand, had so little going for it. Well, except for exceptionally wealthy people eager to win a major event.

[Farm93]

The Sochi events were likely a positive at the time of the voting (December 2010).  The 2018 site was selected before a lot of the building at Sochi was completed.  In late 2009 the Russians were boasting that the major Sochi projects were ahead of schedule.  In 2010 FIFA likely imagined that if Russia would spend that much on minor winter Olympic sports in a small village then they would invest even more for venues and infrastructure in 6-8 major Russian cities for a FIFA World Cup.

Qatar, on the other hand, had so little going for it. Well, except for exceptionally wealthy people eager to win a major event.