"We are honoured to win in this tough and fair fight," Putin told a late evening news conference after flying to Zurich from Moscow on hearing that Russia had beaten England and joint bids from Spain/Portugal and the Netherlands/Belgium to host 2018.
"Thank you for supporting Russia. Together let us make sure that football supports fair play, tolerance, honour."
Putin said he had made the right decision on Wednesday to stay away from Zurich for Russia's final presentation so FIFA executives could make their decision in peace after corruption allegations in the British media.
"I did this out of respect. There was unacceptable campaigning that was deployed for the World Cup in 2018."
"People were accused of corruption. There were accused without any grounds, without any reasons, no justifications," he said.
Asked about leaked U.S. diplomatic cables earlier this week which described the former KGB spy as an "alpha-dog" who presides over corrupt officials and crooked spies, Putin said this had also contributed to his decision not to come.
"We are a good rival and we are waiting for you in 2018 and we will do our best for England to realise themselves," he said, adding that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was bringing his experience in England to help develop the game back home.
RUSSIA'S STRENGTHS
Putin noted the western European nations Russia was bidding against had serious economic problems, while his country has strong growth and the world's third biggest stocks of gold as well as being the first host in eastern Europe.
"Our vision corresponded to the FIFA philosophy and this philosophy is to enhance the borders of world football by engaging new territories, new countries," he said.
Asked whether he would return to the position of president by 2018, Putin said he and his successor President Dmitry Medvedev would decide: "We will decide who will take which place and we will take a negotiated decision."
"Football was played even at that tragic time. It helped people to stand tall and survive," he said.
