Netherlands, Belgium launch joint World Cup bid

Plans for 12 new stadiums and strong corporate backing should make the joint Netherlands-Belgium bid to co-host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup finals compelling, organizers said. The bid was formally kicked off on Monday, although the two countries had already indicated they would try to secure soccer's biggest global event, held every four years and, at the last count, watched by a cumulative 26 billion people. The 12 new stadiums are estimated to cost between 60 million euros and 100 million each. The next World Cup is due to be held in South Africa in 2010 while Brazil will host the 2014 tournament. Soccer's world governing body FIFA is due to announce the hosts of the 2018 and 2022 tournaments in December 2010. Belgium and Netherlands co-hosted the 2000 European Championship, which also could be a benefit.