The Dutch and Belgian football federations have joined forces to put up a combined candidature for the hosting of the 2018 football World Cup, the Dutch half of the partnership said Wednesday.
“Representatives of the football federations of Belgium and the Netherlands decided Wednesday in Breda (in the south of the Netherlands) to create a foundation with the aim of securing the rights to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup,” it said in a statement.
Four members of each federation will manage the foundation, headed by their respective presidents: Michael van Praag of the Netherlands and Francois de Keersmaecker of Belgium.
The statement said 11 cities and stadium owners have officially registered themselves as candidate hosts.
World football association FIFA is due to announce the next host by spring 2011.
Belgium and the Netherlands jointly hosted the European Championship in 2000.
