Benelux to pool resources for 2018 World Cup bid

Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands will pool their resources and submit a bid for the 2018 World Cup.

Alain Courtois, a member of Belgium parliament and the tournament director when Belgium and the Netherlands staged the 2000 European Championship, said the nations would formally apply in January.

"At the moment we are just awaiting the outcome of the elections in the Netherlands next month, but after that we should be in a position to go ahead," Courtois said.

He then said the countries already have the proper infrastructure in place to play host.

"We will have brand new stadiums here in Brussels, Bruges and Antwerp, while the Dutch already have world-class arenas that will just need tweaking, so I think we are in the strongest position," he said.

England and Spain also have expressed interest in hosting the event in 2018, as have Australia and Mexico.

South Africa will stage the 2010 World Cup. The 2014 edition will be held in the Americas.

While FIFA president Sepp Blatter said he no longer supported joint bid efforts from nation, Courtois was unconcerned. He noted the difference between the three nations and Japan and Korea, which co-hosted the 2002 tournament.

"Benelux is one political institution, therefore it is one bid with one organisation, not like Japan and Korea which had two separate committees," Courtois said

Source: euFootball.BIZ © Copyright 2006 - All rights reserved.