Prime minister Mark Rutte and his Belgian colleague Yves Leterme will be in Zurich on Thursday for last minute lobbying in support of the two countries’ bid to stage the 2018 World Cup.

The prime ministers will both stress that their governments are fully behind the plans. Former international Ruud Gullit, who chairs the Holland Belgium bid, will lead the final presentation of the Dutch plans, attended by some 40 supporters, including Guus Hiddink and Johan Cruijff, news agency ANP says.
England, Russia and Spain/Portugal are also bidding to stage the 2018 competition.
Fifa president Sepp Blatter will announce the winner around 16.00 hours on Thursday.
Although the government is fully behind the bid, the campaign has not been without controversy. Many MPs and others are unhappy at the large number of concessions the Netherlands will have to make to Fifa.
These include massive tax breaks, strict controls on marketing and diplomatic immunity for Fifa officials.