AMSTERDAM - FIFA president Sepp Blatter believes a joint bid from Holland and Belgium for the 2018 World Cup would set a good example for smaller countries, according to KNVB chief Jeu Sprengers.
Sprengers is looking to team up with representatives of the Belgian FA, the KBVB, and repeat the hosting arrangement seen at Euro 2000.
It is a staging system which is not believed to be favoured by Blatter, but, having discussed his ideas in person with the FIFA chief, Sprengers is feeling positive.
He said: "According to Blatter we were the first interested party to come to him personally.
"We must present ourselves in any case as one candidate and not as two organisations. That won't be a problem. We have functioned like that during Euro 2008 already.
"Normally there are 15 to 20 bigger FA's who can handle this job.
"Blatter has the opinion that a good example from KNVB and KBVB can give the smaller football countries perspective. When they can co-operate, they can become candidates too."
England have emerged as favourites to bring the 2018 event to the home of the game for the first time since 1966 when they won football's top trophy on home soil.
Japan and Australia have also indicated their interest, while China, the United States, Russia and Spain are also said to be investigating a bid.
