Flying into Dallas for the Netherlands vs Japan I was a sceptic.


According to Google Maps, the fan walk to the stadium looked like a small stroll across a parking lot that reminded me of the YouTube series ‘Spiritually Depraved and Misery-Inducing Landscapes of North America’ I had been watching in the weeks leading up to the World Cup. Add to that the scorching Texas summer sun, no nearby train station, parking tickets going for $200. It sounded hellish so I decided I had to be there. 

In Europe, ideally a football stadium is rooted in its community where it’s been since its founding a century ago. A big contrast with the AT&T stadium in Arlington, which is surrounded by parking lots, other big stadiums and amusement parks. It seems all aspects of football have been stripped and all that remains is entertainment. 

As a Dutchman it’s a strange thing to see the Dutch fan walk being adopted/infiltrated by the Americans. There were an estimated 5000 from the Netherlands but the marches draw crowds twice or 4 times the size. In a time where expressions related to nationalism are hijacked by right wing extremism it was sort of a relief to see it as a positive inclusive thing where everybody wanted to be a part of. Besides that it’s amazing to see songs that became famous in the Netherlands on the promotion party of a 2nd division club (sorry NAC Breda) or at the fun fair in Volendam now being adopted on a world wide scale. In a way it makes you proud that so many people from the other side of the world want to be a part of that.

The series emphasizes the vast empty landscape where the human figures feel kinda lost. This area is only meant to be accessed by motorized vehicles, not on foot. Put 10000 of them together though, and they’ll bend the rules of this place and just have a great time no matter the circumstances. Which for me is an essential part of football culture.