Why the KNVB is turning every Dutch fan into a twelfth man at the World Cup

The Royal Dutch Football Association has invested heavily in fan activities to support the Netherlands national team at the World Cup in the United States. Marianne van Leeuwen, director of professional football at the KNVB, confirmed the initiative today in an interview with Algemeen Dagblad. Van Leeuwen explained that the primary motivation is to help the team. In March, a meeting was held with the players’ council—four or five internationals representing the squad—who requested that World Cup matches feel like home games, complete with Fanwalks that include their own families. The impact on the players is clear. "When the players ran onto the pitch and looked around at all the orange, they said, ‘Wow,’" Van Leeuwen said. "It does something to them. Ultimately, everything depends on what happens on the field, but if something can add even one percent toward winning a world title, we’ll do it."

Netherlands brace for Morocco as World Cup knockout intensity soars

The Netherlands’ opening three matches were played in the United States, where Dutch fans were joined by supporters with Dutch roots and Americans eager to join the celebration. The next match, against Morocco, will be played in Mexico, where football culture runs deeper. Van Leeuwen acknowledged that the atmosphere may differ in Mexico but expressed confidence that the orange fever can still make an impact. "We expect that kind of Oranje atmosphere to resonate there as well," she said. Looking beyond the tournament, Van Leeuwen stressed that the KNVB’s immediate focus is on the World Cup. "We plan to stay here for weeks," she said. "Our priority is clear: play this tournament first, then decide what comes next." She added that discussions with head coach Ronald Koeman will follow the competition, once the results are known.