Belgium–Netherlands 2018 FIFA World Cup bid Belgium–Netherlands 2018 FIFA World Cup bid Alain Courtois, a Belgian Member of Parliament, announced in October 2006 that a formal bid would be made on behalf of the three Benelux countries: Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg to host either the 2018 FIFA World Cup or 2022 version, but has since decided to concentrate solely on the 2018 version (see 2018 European World Cup bids). In June 2007 the three countries launched their campaign not as a joint bid in the manner of the Korea-Japan World Cup in 2002, but emphasizing it as a common political organization. Luxembourg would not host
Luxembourg in the Eurovision Song Contest 1972 UK Singles Chart, at the time by far the highest position achieved in the UK by a non-British/Irish Eurovision winner. On the night of the final Leandros performed 17th in the running order, following Belgium and preceding the Netherlands. Prior to the contest most observers had predicted a two-horse race between Luxembourg and the United Kingdom, with the Netherlands as the only other possible challenger. In the event, "Après toi" took the initiative in the first round of voting, and did not relinquish the lead throughout the whole voting procedure. The song won the contest with a score of 128