The so-called bid book of ideas about infrastructure, safety and accommodation has to include 120 pages of ecological aspects. "While it could fit on one sheet of paper, so to speak," said CEO Harry Been. "We are having a hard time. We are brainstorming with a large group of people about how we can develop as many environmentally friendly initiatives as possible."
François de Keersmaecker, chairman of the Belgian football association KBVB said the short distances between the different cities in the Low Countries are a benefit in that regard. "That is a major trump card for us," he said, in comparison with bigger countries where stadiums are further apart. Teams will not have to fly from one city to the next and the new high speed rail link between Amsterdam and Brussels will definitely be included in the bid.
Been said Monday he expects the bid to cost around 12 million euros of which the Belgian and Dutch government each contribute 4.5. The rest of the money comes from five, mostly Dutch, sponsors and the football associations that still have some funds left from 2000, when the two countries hosted the European Cup.
The joint bid is one of nine tenders for the 2018 tournament and eleven for 2022. England, the US, Australia and a joint bid by Spain and Portugal are the main rivals. Fifa president Sepp Blatter in January said joint bids would be rejected. But in July, he reassured Belgium and the Netherlands that their World Cup bid was valid despite his preference for single-nation bids, calling the joint bid "appealing".
The bids have to be presented to Fifa by May next year. The federation will make a decision by the end of 2010. The complicated voting procedure requires the eventual winner to obtain the support of 13 of the 24 member executive committee. The Belgian Michel D’Hooghe is part of that committee "but all major candidates are represented", he explained. "Some of their votes will be available in a second round. That's what you need to focus the lobby on. It won't be easy, but I believe in it," D’Hooghe said.
Special support for the possible co-hosts comes from legendary players such as Johan Cruijff, Paul van Himst, Enzo Scifo and Ruud Gullit. Retired cyclist Eddy Merckx, athlete Kim Gevaert, tennis star Justine Henin and swimmer Pieter van den Hoogenband have also committed to being ambassadors for the bid.
