{"id":344959,"date":"2026-06-21T19:37:28","date_gmt":"2026-06-21T19:37:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/344959\/"},"modified":"2026-06-21T19:37:28","modified_gmt":"2026-06-21T19:37:28","slug":"netherlands-vs-sweden-world-cup-inside-the-oranje-fanwalk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/344959\/","title":{"rendered":"Netherlands vs. Sweden World Cup: Inside the Oranje Fanwalk"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Thousands<\/p>\n

Thousands of fans take part in the iconic Oranje fan walk for Dutch supporters before the team\u2019s match against Sweden in the FIFA World Cup in Houston, Saturday, June 20, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Staff photographer<\/p>\n

People walking through Rice University\u2019s campus Saturday morning must have thought they were taken to a different dimension.\u00a0<\/p>\n

There were more than three hours until the Netherlands and Sweden kicked off their World Cup match about 2.5 miles away at Reliant Stadium. But thousands of fans packed Greenbriar Drive and the surrounding area around two Orange buses that would crowd through the streets of Houston to the match.<\/p>\n

Thousands walking to a sporting event? Almost all universally dressed in one color? Singing and cheering and dancing? This couldn\u2019t be Houston.<\/p>\n

Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n

NETHERLANDS 5, SWEDEN 1: How the day and game played out<\/a><\/p>\n

Greenbriar all the way until the Astrodome turned into a moving sea of orange for the\u00a0famous Dutch Oranje Fanwalk<\/a>, a tradition where people walk, sing and dance their way to a Netherlands soccer match. People from the Netherlands to Mexico, from Houston to San Marcos, convened in the city for the chance to take part in this unique tradition.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThis has got to be one of the greatest moments in Houston\u2019s history,\u201d Chris Canetti, president of Houston\u2019s World Cup host committee. \u201cWhat compares to this?\u201d<\/p>\n

Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n

The fanwalk might have technically been the opening act for Saturday\u2019s headliner, the Netherlands\u2019 5-1 victory over Sweden in front of a soldout Reliant Stadium crowd. But the fan march itself was a headliner worthy of its own billing.<\/p>\n

At least 15,000 people attended the fan walk, a spokesperson for the Dutch soccer federation told the Chronicle.\u00a0<\/p>\n

WORLD CUP GUIDE: What to know about Houston and the games<\/a><\/p>\n

The tradition has gained notoriety in recent years as one of international soccer\u2019s most beloved traditions with one of the buses, which arrived in Galveston in May and departed from the city last week to much fanfare, becoming a cult celebrity.<\/p>\n

\"Thousands<\/p>\n

Thousands of fans take part in the iconic Oranje fan walk for Dutch supporters before the team\u2019s match against Sweden in the FIFA World Cup in Houston, Saturday, June 20, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Staff photographer<\/p>\n

\u201cWe’ve been following it on the internet,\u201d said Laura Cardona, who drove in San Marcos just for the march. \u201cNever in my life did I ever think I would get to see it in person. And yet, here I am. I took pictures in front of it. It couldn’t get any better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n

The buses started moving down Greenbriar just after 8:45 a.m. with the second bus coming to a complete stop in Reliant Park around 10:10 a.m.<\/p>\n

They started near the corner of Greenbriar and University and continued along Greenbriar until it met up with Fannin St, going parallel with the light rail until turning in towards the stadium past the Stadium Park\/Astrodome exit.<\/p>\n

ROYAL VISIT: King and queen of Netherlands come to Houston<\/a><\/p>\n

Fans sang along as music played from the buses. The fire department sprayed water for those looking for a misting to keep their cool. The quiet, green streets of University Place turned into a Saturday morning dance party anyone was allowed to attend.<\/p>\n

Alex Descalzi, a 40-year-old Mexican with Dutch roots, attended the march with his son, 10-year-old Paolo. This is the second time in the past week he participated in the march after he attended the one in North Texas last week ahead of the Oranje\u2019s 2-2 tie with Japan in Arlington.<\/p>\n

Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n

\u201cI see so many people,\u201d Descalzi said before the march. \u201cI think here is more crowded.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nico Komen, who rode on the orange bus, agreed with Descalsi\u2019s assessment. He said he thought there were more people on the Houston march than the one in North Texas.<\/p>\n

PREGAME: Sweden fans join locals in a soccer match of their own<\/a><\/p>\n

Grayson Collins and his 8-year-old son Russell flew in from Charlotte for the match. Collins said he has watched the Netherlands at two previous World Cups but he has never before had the opportunity to go with his son.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a totally different experience with companion, Collins said as he and Russell as they neared the final stretch of the fan walk as Metro light rail trains slowed<\/p>\n

Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n

\u201cSo far, I rank it a 10 out of 10,\u201d said Russell with a grin, his cheeks painted with the red, white and blue stripes of the Netherlands flag.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s even better with him here,\u201d Collins said.<\/p>\n

\"Netherlands<\/p>\n

Netherlands fans react after Brian Brobbey\u2019s second goal against Sweden during the FIFA World Cup in Houston, Saturday, June 20, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Staff photographer\"Netherlands<\/p>\n

Netherlands forward Brian Brobbey (19) blocks a kick by Sweden defender Gustaf Lagerbielke (2) during the first half of World Cup Group F game action at FIFA\u2019s Houston Stadium on Saturday, June 20, 2026.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle\"Netherlands<\/p>\n

Netherlands celebrate Netherlands forward Brian Brobbey (19), far right, first goal of the game in the first half against Sweden at FIFA\u2019s Houston Stadium on Saturday, June 20, 2026.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle\"Sweden<\/p>\n

Sweden fans get hyped up before World Cup Group F game action between Netherlands and Sweden at FIFA\u2019s Houston Stadium on Saturday, June 20, 2026.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle\"Netherlands<\/p>\n

Netherlands fans get hyped up before World Cup Group F game action between Netherlands and Sweden at FIFA\u2019s Houston Stadium on Saturday, June 20, 2026.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle\"Netherlands<\/p>\n

Netherlands forward Brian Brobbey (19) reacts after scoring his second goal against Sweden during the FIFA World Cup in Houston, Saturday, June 20, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Staff photographer\"Sweden<\/p>\n

Sweden fans cheer after catching a ball hit into the stands during the FIFA World Cup in Houston, Saturday, June 20, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Staff photographer\"Netherlands<\/p>\n

Netherlands forward Brian Brobbey (19) works against Sweden defender Isak Hien (4) during the FIFA World Cup in Houston, Saturday, June 20, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Staff photographer\"Netherlands<\/p>\n

Netherlands forward Brian Brobbey (19) scores his second goal against Sweden during the FIFA World Cup in Houston, Saturday, June 20, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Staff photographer\"Netherlands<\/p>\n

Netherlands forward Brian Brobbey (19) reacts after scoring a goal during the FIFA World Cup in Houston, Saturday, June 20, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Staff photographer\"Netherlands<\/p>\n

Netherlands goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen (1) makes a save during World Cup Group F game action against Sweden at FIFA\u2019s Houston Stadium on Saturday, June 20, 2026.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle\"Sweden<\/p>\n

Sweden goalkeeper Kristoffer Nordfeldt (23) watches as Netherlands forward Brian Brobbey (19) second goal hits the net during World Cup Group F game action at FIFA\u2019s Houston Stadium on Saturday, June 20, 2026.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle\"Netherlands<\/p>\n

Netherlands fans get hyped up before World Cup Group F game action between Netherlands and Sweden at FIFA\u2019s Houston Stadium on Saturday, June 20, 2026.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle\"Sweden<\/p>\n

Sweden fans get hyped up before World Cup Group F game action between Netherlands and Sweden at FIFA\u2019s Houston Stadium on Saturday, June 20, 2026.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle\"A<\/p>\n

A pitch worker gets a little wet while working on the pitch before World Cup Group F game action between Netherlands and Sweden at FIFA\u2019s Houston Stadium on Saturday, June 20, 2026.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle\"Thousands<\/p>\n

Thousands of fans take part in the iconic Oranje fan walk for Dutch supporters before the team\u2019s match against Sweden in the FIFA World Cup in Houston, Saturday, June 20, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Staff photographer\"Sweden<\/p>\n

Sweden supporters march from Helix Park toward NRG Stadium ahead of the Swedish national team’s FIFA World Cup match against the Netherlands in Houston on Saturday, June 20, 2026.<\/p>\n

Raquel Natalicchio\/Houston Chronicle\"Sweden<\/p>\n

Sweden fans celebrate before World Cup Group F game action between Netherlands and Sweden at FIFA\u2019s Houston Stadium on Saturday, June 20, 2026.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle\"Fans<\/p>\n

Fans enter the gate before World Cup Group F game action between Netherlands and Sweden at FIFA\u2019s Houston Stadium on Saturday, June 20, 2026.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle\"Netherlands<\/p>\n

Netherlands defender Virgil van Dijk (4) prepares to enter the Houston Stadium with his team before World Cup Group F game action against Sweden at FIFA\u2019s Houston Stadium on Saturday, June 20, 2026.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle\"Netherlands<\/p>\n

Netherlands fans wave flags and cheer during the Oranje Fanwalk, hosted by Koninklijke Nederlandse Voetbalbond and the Royal Dutch Football Association, in support of the Netherlands as they prepare to face Sweden at Houston Stadium in Houston, June 20, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jacob Lujan\/Houston Chronicle\"A<\/p>\n

A man sporting a mullet and Netherlands face paint cheers during the Oranje Fanwalk, hosted by Koninklijke Nederlandse Voetbalbond and the Royal Dutch Football Association, in support of the Netherlands as they prepare to face Sweden at Houston Stadium in Houston, June 20, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jacob Lujan\/Houston Chronicle\"Sweden<\/p>\n

Sweden supporters march from Helix Park toward NRG Stadium ahead of the Swedish national team’s FIFA World Cup match against the Netherlands in Houston on Saturday, June 20, 2026.<\/p>\n

Raquel Natalicchio\/Houston Chronicle\"Sweden<\/p>\n

Sweden supporters gather for a fan march at Helix Park ahead of the Swedish national team’s FIFA World Cup match against the Netherlands in Houston, Saturday, June 20, 2026.<\/p>\n

Raquel Natalicchio\/Houston Chronicle\"Sweden<\/p>\n

Sweden supporters march from Helix Park toward NRG Stadium ahead of the Swedish national team’s FIFA World Cup match against the Netherlands in Houston on Saturday, June 20, 2026.<\/p>\n

Raquel Natalicchio\/Houston Chronicle\"Julie<\/p>\n

Julie Myers, 29, and Chase Myers, 27, are photographed before joining a Sweden fan march from Helix Park to NRG Stadium ahead of the Swedish national team’s FIFA World Cup match against the Netherlands in Houston on Saturday, June 20, 2026.<\/p>\n

Raquel Natalicchio\/Houston Chronicle\"Netherlands<\/p>\n

Netherlands fans wave flags and cheer during the Oranje Fanwalk, hosted by Koninklijke Nederlandse Voetbalbond and the Royal Dutch Football Association, in support of the Netherlands as they prepare to face Sweden at Houston Stadium in Houston, June 20, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jacob Lujan\/Houston Chronicle\"Riding<\/p>\n

Riding onto of the Oranje Dutch Fanbus sits a DJ who sports an Astros hat during the Oranje Fanwalk, hosted by Koninklijke Nederlandse Voetbalbond and the Royal Dutch Football Association, in support of the Netherlands as they prepare to face Sweden at Houston Stadium in Houston, June 20, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jacob Lujan\/Houston Chronicle\"Bear-themed<\/p>\n

Bear-themed topiaries are dressed with Neterland soccer team t-shirts as thousands of fans take part in the iconic Oranje fan walk for Dutch supporters before the team\u2019s match against Sweden in the FIFA World Cup in Houston, Saturday, June 20, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Staff photographer\"A<\/p>\n

A Dutch fan takes part in the iconic Oranje fan walk for Dutch supporters before the team\u2019s match against Sweden in the FIFA World Cup in Houston, Saturday, June 20, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Staff photographer\"Sweden<\/p>\n

Sweden supporters march from Helix Park toward NRG Stadium ahead of the Swedish national team’s FIFA World Cup match against the Netherlands in Houston on Saturday, June 20, 2026.<\/p>\n

Raquel Natalicchio\/Houston Chronicle\"Sweden<\/p>\n

Sweden supporters march from Helix Park toward NRG Stadium ahead of the Swedish national team’s FIFA World Cup match against the Netherlands in Houston on Saturday, June 20, 2026.<\/p>\n

Raquel Natalicchio\/Houston Chronicle\"Sweden<\/p>\n

Sweden supporters march from Helix Park toward NRG Stadium ahead of the Swedish national team’s FIFA World Cup match against the Netherlands in Houston on Saturday, June 20, 2026.<\/p>\n

Raquel Natalicchio\/Houston Chronicle\"Orange<\/p>\n

Orange flags for the Netherlands fill a section for fans before World Cup Group F game action between Netherlands and Sweden at FIFA\u2019s Houston Stadium on Saturday, June 20, 2026.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle\"Netherland<\/p>\n

Netherland fans participate in the Oranje Fanwalk ahead of the team’s World Cup match against Sweden on Saturday, June 20, 2026, in Houston.<\/p>\n

Matt Breitel\/Courtesy\"Netherlands\u2019<\/p>\n

Netherlands\u2019 fans cheer from the the top of a Dutch Bros Coffee shop during the Oranje Fanwalk, hosted by Koninklijke Nederlandse Voetbalbond and the Royal Dutch Football Association, in support of the Netherlands as they prepare to face Sweden at Houston Stadium in Houston, June 20, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jacob Lujan\/Houston Chronicle\"Netherlands<\/p>\n

Netherlands fans participate in the Oranje Fanwalk ahead of the team’s World Cup match against Sweden on Saturday, June 20, 2026, in Houston.<\/p>\n

Matt Breitel\/Courtesy\"Netherlands<\/p>\n

Netherlands fans participate in the Oranje Fanwalk ahead of the team’s World Cup match against Sweden on Saturday, June 20, 2026, in Houston.<\/p>\n

Matt Breitel\/Courtesy\"Sweden<\/p>\n

Sweden supporters march from Helix Park toward NRG Stadium ahead of the Swedish national team’s FIFA World Cup match against the Netherlands in Houston on Saturday, June 20, 2026.<\/p>\n

Raquel Natalicchio\/Houston Chronicle\"Sweden<\/p>\n

Sweden supporters gather for a fan march at Helix Park ahead of the Swedish national team’s FIFA World Cup match against the Netherlands in Houston, Saturday, June 20, 2026.<\/p>\n

Raquel Natalicchio\/Houston Chronicle\"Netherland<\/p>\n

Netherland fans participate in the Oranje Fanwalk ahead of the team’s World Cup match against Sweden on Saturday, June 20, 2026, in Houston.<\/p>\n

Matt Breitel\/Courtesy\"A<\/p>\n

A Netherlands fan wears an Oranje Dutch Fanbus inspired hat during the Oranje Fanwalk, hosted by Koninklijke Nederlandse Voetbalbond and the Royal Dutch Football Association, in support of the Netherlands as they prepare to face Sweden at Houston Stadium in Houston, June 20, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jacob Lujan\/Houston Chronicle\"Sweden<\/p>\n

Sweden supporters gather for a fan march at Helix Park ahead of the Swedish national team’s FIFA World Cup match against the Netherlands in Houston, Saturday, June 20, 2026.<\/p>\n

Raquel Natalicchio\/Houston Chronicle\"Frans<\/p>\n

Frans Blomqvist, 12, is photographed before joining a Sweden fan march from Helix Park to NRG Stadium ahead of the Swedish national team’s FIFA World Cup match against the Netherlands in Houston on Saturday, June 20, 2026.<\/p>\n

Raquel Natalicchio\/Houston Chronicle\"A<\/p>\n

A man wears orange faceprint and an orange version of the Statue of Liberty\u2019s headpeice during the Oranje Fanwalk, hosted by Koninklijke Nederlandse Voetbalbond and the Royal Dutch Football Association, in support of the Netherlands as they prepare to face Sweden at Houston Stadium in Houston, June 20, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jacob Lujan\/Houston Chronicle\"World<\/p>\n

World Cup fans were asked to shelter in place due to lightning at NRG Stadium as the match ended between the Netherlands and Sweden on Saturday, June 20.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Peter Warren\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n

Emmanuel Ibeh, a 24-year-old Heights resident, wasn\u2019t dressed head-to-toe in orange but was wearing a new white Netherlands jersey featuring captain Virgil van Dijk on the back. Ibeh said he bought the jersey Friday just for the march.<\/p>\n

He has been going to a bunch of different World Cup events since the tournament started in Houston, and highlighted interacting with different people along the fan walk as a great part of the experience.<\/p>\n

For Ibeh, he has also enjoyed seeing the travelers visiting the U.S. for the tournament getting to experience American culture.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I go to other countries and ask, \u2018Do you want to visit the U.S.?\u2019 They’re like, \u2018No, I don’t want to get shot.\u2019\u201d Ibeh said. \u201cThe media kind of portrays the U.S. in a bad light so I think it’s cool that countries come to experience this and see that they actually like it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Saturday\u2019s fan march might not have been a traditional Houston experience but it was one Houstonians and visitors will remember for a long time.<\/p>\n

Unlike most of the fans who participated in the walk Saturday, Canetti got to experience a view from above from the second level of one of the double-decker buses. After walking off the bus near the stadium, Canetti, wearing a custom orange jersey gifted to him by the Dutch soccer federation, found himself at a loss for words. The host committee had been thinking about the march since FIFA announced the Netherlands would come to Houston.<\/p>\n

Canetti has been to numerous sporting events and sports-related events over the years but he said the fan march stands alone as its own thing.<\/p>\n

“That was incredible,\u201d Canetti said. \u201cI don’t know if you can top that in terms of an experience. It’s one of the greatest things I’ve ever done in my life.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Thousands of fans take part in the iconic Oranje fan walk for Dutch supporters before the team\u2019s match…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":344960,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[56,58,57,119376],"class_list":["post-344959","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-houston","tag-houston","tag-houston-headlines","tag-houston-news","tag-tsn-dynamo"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/344959","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=344959"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/344959\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/344960"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=344959"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=344959"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=344959"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}