Egypt captain Ahmed Hassan has been chosen to promote Belgium and Holland's joint-bid to host the World Cup in 2018 or 2022. The former Anderlecht ace was selected as one of two foreign stars to help the EURO 2000 co-hosts; along with former France midfielder Christian Karembeu. "I am proud to be chosen for such a role," Hassan, who is with the Egypt squad in Angola, told FilGoal.com. "It reflects the good reputation Egyptian football has gained after I spent two seasons in Belgium," added the three-time African Cup winner. Hassan enjoyed a glittering spell with Anderlecht between 2006 and 2008, winning the Belgian League and Cup.
He also took part in the UEFA Champions League with the Belgian giants. Belgian officials in the organizing committee will arrive in Egypt on February 10th to hold a meeting with Hassan before announcing his promotional activities in the next period. Russia, Australia, Japan, England, USA, as well as Spain and Portugal who submitted a joint bid are also willing to host the event. The 35-year-old midfielder has equaled the Egyptian and African record of international caps, after playing his 169th game for the Pharaohs against Benin. Hassan is poised to break the record on Monday, when Egypt take on Cameroon in the quarter-finals of the African Cup.
