FIFA president Sepp Blatter says the joint bid by Belgium and the Netherlands will be considered as a candidate to host either the 2018 or 2022 World Cup.

Blatter says the joint bid shall be accepted because it is being run through one organizing committee. King Albert II and Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy lobbied Blatter during talks Monday at Belgium's royal palace.

Blatter has said that joint bids will likely lose out in favor of a strong proposal from a solo host.

The Dutch-Belgian candidacy, along with a Spain-Portugal bid, have to be submitted by May 2010.

FIFA received 11 preliminary bids to host the two World Cups, including applications by the United States, England and Russia.

(Xinhua News Agency July 21, 2009)