Was Monday night’s Panorama the final nail in the coffin for England’s 2018 World Cup bid?

Well, as the BBC broadened The Sunday Times’ claims of corruption and bribery within the sport’s governing body, FIFA, the bookies lengthened England’s odds of hosting the 2018 finals and made Russia the new favourites.

“England's odds have lengthened in recent days with most people believing the Panorama broadcast can only harm England’s chances,” says David Stevens of Coral.

Members of FIFA’s executive committee met in a swanky hotel in Switzerland yesterday to decide which nation will be hosting the tournament, and tomorrow we should know whether the Panorama expose had any bearing on their voting.

While freedom of press is an essential pillar of democracy, the BBC has come under scathing criticism for airing the potentially damaging programme, which failed to provide any significant revelations that hadn’t already been published in The Sunday Times.

Despite suggestions that the expose has pushed FIFA towards Russia, the two David’s (Cameron and Beckham) and Prince William – who flew out to win votes in Switzerland yesterday – should remain optimistic that England’s by-the-book bid will win on merit rather than political horse-trading.

“We’ve got so many good grounds that are ready to go,” says Daily Echo sports reporter, Ian Wadley.

“We could host it tomorrow.”

Reports suggest hosting the World Cup here would generate more income than elsewhere, with England scoring maximum ratings for potential revenue through ticketing, media rights, sponsorship, hospitality, merchandising and licensing. Will this financial incentive swing in England’s favour or will Panorama’s allegations of bribery scare FIFA into favouring Russia or even the collaborative bids of Spain and Portugal and Belgium and Holland?

We should find out tomorrow.

However, if none of the hopeful nations win an absolute majority (12 votes), the bidder with the least votes will be forced to drop out and another round of voting will ensue.

Assuming this scenario doesn’t play out, at 3pm tomorrow we’ll know who’s hosting the 2018 World Cup. Football fans across the land will either be celebrating or baying for BBC blood.