The decision meant that it would be the first time that two consecutive World Cups were staged outside Europe and the first time two consecutive World Cups were held in the Southern Hemisphere (the 2010 edition was held in South Africa).
Beslutningen betød, at der for første gang ville blive afholdt to slutrunder i træk uden for Europa, og at der for anden gang i træk ville blive afholdt en slutrunde på den sydlige halvkugle (Sydafrika var vært ved VM i fodbold 2010).