There is a difference, FIFA are exempt from taxes on profits from the World Cup in South Africa too, as they were in Germany. This is in the host contract. But you were talking about payroll taxes on FIFA staff which is a different issue and worth a lot more money. On that issue, the article you speak about is incorrect. Germany tried to do this in 2006 and the EU Commission didn't allow it. EU law doesn't allow one to discriminate rates of personal (not corporate) taxes between people based on anything other than income.
The other comment is correct, 2014 is in Brazil, UK never applied. It has applied alongside the US, Australia and Russia (and some others) for both 2018 and 2022.
If these tournaments are not worth it why do so many countries want to host it? Why do Australia still do it after so many major sporting events in the last few years (Olympics, Commonwealth Games, Rugby World Cup, F1 Grand Prix, etc)? Is there something they have not worked out? Yes, it costs lots of money, but it has a long term benefit.
The Gautrain was originally planned and promised for the 2006 bid. Part of what made the bid impressive was the commitment to build the Gautrain and various other things independent on the outcome of the bid.