Legendary Dutch soccer star Ruud Gullit has been confirmed as the president of Holland and Belgium's joint bid for the 2018/2022 World Cup. The former AC Milan player, who played for the Netherlands at the 1990 World Cup, will lead bid delegations in the run-up to December's final Fifa vote.

"With his reputation and enormous international appeal, Ruud’s appointment is of great significance for our candidacy," said Harry Been, chief executive of the bid. "We believe he can be a great advantage for the bid."

As well as Gullit, the bid team, led on a day-to-day basis by Dutchman Harry Been, announced a string of other former players as ambassadors including Johan Cruyff, Marco van Basten, Clarence Seedorf, Dennis Bergkamp, Eric Gerets, Michel Preud'homme and Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.

Egyptian national team captain Achmed Hassan, who played in Belgium for three years, was also unveiled as a bid ambassador.