Benelux FIFA World Cup 2018 / 2022 bid

[Joop20]

Associations of Belgium and the Netherlands officially announce interest in submitting joint bid(FIFA.com)

Wednesday 14 November 2007

In a meeting today (Wednesday, 14 November 2007) with FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter and FIFA General Secretary Jérôme Valcke, the Presidents of the football associations of Belgium, François de Keersmaecker, and the Netherlands, Mathieu Sprengers, officially announced their interest in submitting a joint bid to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup™.

"There are no borders between our countries, but there is a lot of friendship," stressed FIFA's guests. "Remember, we successfully hosted EURO 2000."

"These two neighbours are founder members of FIFA," said Blatter. FIFA explained that it was important for the governing body to have only one point of contact at local organising committee level.

Blatter also noted that other countries were already planning to submit bids. "It says everything about the popularity of football in general and the FIFA World Cup in particular that we already have concrete proposals for the 2018 World Cup."

The FIFA Executive Committee will allocate the hosting rights for the 2018 FIFA World Cup™ in 2011.

http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/re...id=637931.html

I've indicated the locations of the possible host cities on the map below:

[sapmi]

"Remember, we successfully hosted EURO 2000"

And that's why they won't get the WC. It's too close in time.

[www.sercan.de]

According to German news Japans also wants to host 2018

[Joop20]

Possible host cities:

The Netherlands

Amsterdam - 743.027



Rotterdam - 584.046



Utrecht - 288.731



Eindhoven - 210.860



Groningen - 180.824



Enschede - 154.311



Alkmaar - 93.986



Heerenveen - 42.810



Belgium

Brussels - 1.031.215



Antwerp - 466.203



Ghent - 233.120



Charleroi - 201.550



Liege - 188.907



Bruges - 116.982



Genk - 63.787

[Chimaera]

Originally Posted by sapmi

"Remember, we successfully hosted EURO 2000"

And that's why they won't get the WC. It's too close in time.

We're talking about two different tournaments, aren't we? And if you think 18 years is too little time even then, you might say the same for England1996-2018, South Africa 1996 (Africa Cup)-2010, China 2004 (Asian Cup)-2018. In other words, this is not an argument for me, and definitely not if we are talking about almost 20 years (and, I repeat, two different tournaments).

Now, what I read now, that Japan wants to host... that's another story.

[RobH]

that's a joke. Japan?!

[ottooo]

I made a Google Map of possible host-cities.

I don't know much about the Belgian host stadiums (red), so I only marked the cities. The Dutch markers (blue) are placed at the (future) sites of the stadium, except Utrecht, which is a guess. It should be near the highway (A2).

[Chimaera]

Originally Posted by ottooo

I made a Google Map of possible host-cities.

I don't know much about the Belgian host stadiums (red), so I only marked the cities. The Dutch markers (blue) are placed at the (future) sites of the stadium, except Utrecht, which is a guess. It should be near the highway (A2).

For the possible location of the new stadium in Bruges, try this location in Google Maps:
Arentsdreef, Loppem 8210 Zedelgem, West-Vlaanderen, Vlaams Gewest, België
The stadium will be located on the right of where the arrow will appear.

Brussels:
try: vilvoordselaan 750 brussel
This will not give you the exact location of the stadium, but it will probably be built on the massive railway terrains to the right.

[ottooo]

Thanx, I've moved them to those locations.

[Chimaera]

Originally Posted by ottooo

Thanx, I've moved them to those locations.

Alain Courtois also mentioned an expansion of the Fenix Stadium (Cristal Arena) in Genk from 25000 to 40000. It would only cost 17 million euros. Location in Google Maps: stadionplein genk

Finally, Gent also would like to join, with an expansion of their Arteveldestadion. The stadium with 20000 seats will be finished in 2009. Just try "arteveldestadion gent" in Google Maps.

For Antwerp they haven't decided on the location yet.

[Quintana]

I wonder if The Hague would be interested in being a host city (being the Dutch de facto capital city, very internationally orientated and the countries third city with a population of about 475,000 within the city limits). However, since it's far from a sporting city I highly doubt it.

[eusebius]

I think The Hague should get a 40,000 seater without further ado.

[ottooo]

ADO hardly draws a crowd at their new stadium, so I don't see that happening soon.

[genkie456]

those 17 000 000 euro's are not mentionned for the expension of the crisral arena but for preparing an executing the bid. The press cited mr courtois wrongly.

[Quintana]

Originally Posted by ottooo

ADO hardly draws a crowd at their new stadium, so I don't see that happening soon.

Maybe they can build a big Hockey stadium at the border with Wassenaar to be used for football at the World Cup HCKZ, HDM and HGC are bigger than ADO these days

[Chimaera]

Ottooo, you forgot Charleroi on your map.

[CarlosBlueDragon]

I want Belgium/Nettherland 2018 WC!! Cheers!!

[Joop20]

Originally Posted by eusebius

I think The Hague should get a 40,000 seater without further ado.

No way that's gonna happen mate. The Hague just got a new 15,000 seater stadium, which they can't even fill. The local team from The Hague doesn't even play in the top division of Dutch football. I think you can pretty much rule out The Hague as a host city for 2018!

[michał_]

I think this whole idea isn't too good. Sorry- I am sure Benelux could easily afford this kind of event. But what sense is there if all the stadiums have to be 40k+ ? How many teams in Benelux can get crowds like that afterwards? Ajax, Feyenoord, PSV, Bruges, Anderlecht and who else? I think after these clubs there is too much of a gap. Correct me if I'm wrong.

And about Japan hosting the WC- I don't understand your feelings about that country, they've got to a point when they can easily host a tournament like that and their football is gaining fans and world mark really fast. Cheers to Urawa Reds for winning ACL by the way

[FlyingDutchman]

Originally Posted by michał_

I think this whole idea isn't too good. Sorry- I am sure Benelux could easily afford this kind of event. But what sense is there if all the stadiums have to be 40k+ ? How many teams in Benelux can get crowds like that afterwards? Ajax, Feyenoord, PSV, Bruges, Anderlecht and who else? I think after these clubs there is too much of a gap. Correct me if I'm wrong.

You're quite wrong, FC Groningen already wants to expend to 40 000, and also FC Twente is investigation a 35 000 arena. Those are just two clubs who already want and can affort a 40 000 arena.
And they could make a arena just for the tournement, just like in every country!