FIFA delegation praises Dutch-Belgian bid

Aug 12, 2010 - 5:23 PM AMSTERDAM(AP) -- The head of a FIFA delegation says the Netherlands and Belgium made a good impression in presenting their joint bid to host the 2018 World Cup.

Harold Mayne-Nicholls says "everything seems to be very well prepared to receive the teams and the trophy in eight years."

The five-member inspection team already has toured three other countries bidding for the World Cup - Japan, South Korea and Australia.

The United States, Russia, England and Qatar are also in the running, along with a joint bid by Spain and Portugal. Inspectors will visit them before the Dec. 2 decision.

During the four-day visit, inspectors toured stadiums in Antwerp, Brussels, Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Eindhoven.