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Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has insisted the contest to host the 2018 World Cup was "fair".

Putin, who did not go to Zurich until after Russia was declared the winner, said the country was "honoured" by Fifa's decision and dismissed suggestions England's bid was cheated.

He told a press conference: "Each bid is very special and significant. Each bid is a challenge and we are honoured to win in this tough and fair fight."

Putin rubbished claims England had been "cheated" out of holding the World Cup.

He replied: "No, I don't think. You know, Great Britain is a great football country and in Russia we have a lot of fans of your football in general and your football players in particular.

"Great Britain lost. It lost, but we are waiting for you in 2018 and we will do our best for the football players, for the English football players, for them to realise themselves."

Describing the power of football to make a difference in the world "for the better", Putin pledged a successful World Cup in eight years' time.

He added: "You can take my word for it that the 2018 World Cup in Russia will be up to the highest standards.

"New modern stadiums and facilities will be built in time and to perfection. We are eager to do our best to secure the comfort and safety of our guests.

"Thank you for supporting Russia. Together let us make sure that football promotes fair play, tolerance, honour."

Asked why he did not join the bid team to take part in the presentation, Putin said it was a "complicated" decision which he had made himself.

President Dmitry Medvedev had earlier welcomed the news but immediately turned his focus to delivering the event.

Writing on his Twitter account, Medvedev said: "Victory. We got it! Russia will host the 2018 Fifa World Cup! Now we need to prepare for it and I hope our team will do well too."

Fans also celebrated the news, with Alexander Shprygin, the head of Russia's official football supporters group, claiming that the World Cup put even the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics in the shade.

"This is huge for us," added Shprygin.

"We've been waiting for this announcement for two years, when fans first spoke with sports minister Vitaly Mutko about it.

"It's a symbol, a landmark and a bigger stimulus than the 2014 Olympics. It's a national leap, a national project."

Everton's Russia winger Diniyar Bilyaletdinov felt the decision would allow football to grow in his homeland.

"I think it is great news for Russia – it is a great decision because Russia needs this tournament more than other countries," he said.

"For example, England could host the tournament tomorrow – they are a real football nation with great stadiums and everything is ready.

"I can't say the same for Russia because the football infrastructure is not so good. We need to take the next step and this decision will help us to do that.

"We can build stadiums and bring our game forward. Football will become the number one sport in Russia – it will become the most popular thing and people will all want to come and watch football in nice new stadiums.

"There will also be a big knock-on effect and it will create lots of jobs and help to strengthen the economy.

"We have the Winter Olympics soon in Russia and that will help us prepare. It will give us the experience of hosting a major tournament and will help us put on a great World Cup.

"People will be disappointed here and it is understandable as England would no doubt have put on a great World Cup, but they have fine stadiums and the Premier League is a fantastic competition so there is no shortage of good football for them to watch.

"It is not the same in Russia and everyone is really excited. I have had lots of messages from people over there. I think there will be a big party in Russia tonight but that will be nothing compared to the party there will be in eight years' time."