Monterrey, Mexico was awash in orange Monday as thousands of Dutch soccer fans descended on the city ahead of the Netherlands’ World Cup Round of 32 showdown with Morocco.
The group, widely known as the Orange Army, transformed the streets into a rolling party, with supporters dancing, singing, and marching through the city in their signature orange attire. For many of these fans, the celebration itself is the point — win or lose.
“We’re always here to celebrate, make a party. We know we’re never really here to fully win it, we do hope it, of course, but we’re here to celebrate as long as we can,” said Netherlands fan David Derotte.
The Orange Army has been making headlines throughout the tournament for its massive, high-spirited processions, including notable gatherings in Kansas City and at other match venues.
In Monterrey, state governor Samuel Garcia has warmly welcomed the Dutch fans, partly because orange also happens to be the color of his own political party, Movimiento Ciudadano. Garcia even traveled to the border over the weekend to personally meet and escort a bus carrying Dutch fans crossing from the United States into Mexico, according to posts he shared on social media.
One fan, who goes by the nickname “Orange Elvis,” summed up the group’s philosophy, saying the Orange Army is more about spreading the joy of the game than chasing a championship trophy.
“We bring joy to the world,” he said. “If we lose tonight, we already had a party, and if we win, we’ve got the second party.”
