2026 WorldWorld Cup Double-Header For Dutch Royals
HOUSTON, June 21 (Bernama-dpa) -- Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima celebrated and danced with the Curaçao team at the end of a World Cup double-header on Saturday after watching all of their subjects in action, reported German Press Agency (dpa).
The royal couple first attended the midday kick-off in Houston, where the Netherlands trounced Sweden 5-1.
A few hours later, they were in in Kansas City for Curaçao’s surprise 0-0 draw against Ecuador.
As King of the Netherlands, Willem-Alexander is also the head of state of the countries that are part of the kingdom, including Curaçao.
The royals wore the team colours at both matches, the traditional orange for the Dutch game and then Curaçao's blue.
A video posted by the Curaçao FA showed them dancing and celebrating with the team in the dressing room after the match.
"It is a very special World Cup because we have the Netherlands and Curaçao. So we have double the number of teams we can cheer on," Willem-Alexander told broadcaster RTL.
He added that he "of course hopes that both can go far" in the tournament.
The Dutch took a big step towards the knockout stages ahead of their final group game against Tunisia.
Curaçao can also advance, but they would need to beat Ivory Coast.
The royals had watched the Netherlands’ first World Cup match earlier this week, a 2-2 draw with Japan, together with Japan's imperial couple, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, who were on a state visit to the Netherlands at the time.
-- BERNAMA-dpa
