Most national teams wear colours that are easy to connect to their flag.
The Netherlands are different. Their flag is red, white and blue, but their players and supporters are famous for wearing orange- a colour that has become one of the most recognisable sights in international football.
From World Cups to European Championships, the Dutch team’s bright shirts and orange-clad fans have helped make the Oranje tradition part of the country’s sporting identity.
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What’s behind the different color palette? Here’s all you need to know about why the Netherlands wear orange jerseys.
Orange is the color used by the Dutch royal family, so it has taken on a deeper meaning over the centuries and is used to symbolize the entire region.
In fact, orange is not exclusive to the national soccer team, as it’s used across several different sports to represent the country. The House of Orange-Nassau is the ruling house of the Netherlands.
The color has been representative of Dutch culture for centuries and is prominent during everything from major sports celebrations to national events relating to the royal family.
The Netherlands’ 2026 World Cup home jersey retains the nation’s iconic orange look, pairing a vibrant orange base with black trim on the collar, sleeves and sides. Nike has opted for a clean, modern design that puts the Oranje’s famous colour front and centre.
The away jersey features a predominantly white base with orange trim and a bold orange graphic running across the chest, incorporating the Dutch crest at its centre. The design provides a fresh contrast to the home kit while maintaining the Netherlands’ unmistakable football identity.
The Dutch flag was originally blue, white, and orange during the Netherlands’ War of Independence in the 16th Century, thanks to William of Orange. The color orange didn’t remain, however, and the reason hasn’t been confirmed.
Some historians believe the change was part of a defense treaty signed with the English in 1654, while others believe red, white, and blue were adopted from a Bavarian Coat of Arms from the 15th Century.
The final theory is very simple. Some historians believe the orange dye used to color Dutch flags in the 16th Century had a tendency to turn red over time, so leaders chose to avoid the problem by fully adopting red. Still, orange remains front-and-center in the world stage for the Netherlands.
Oranjegekte refers to the all-out embrace of orange during events in the Netherlands. Oranjegekte occurs during major sporting events, particularly events such as the World Cup and Euros, as well as the annual Dutch holiday of Koningsdag.
While Oranjegekte most commonly refers to Dutch fans dressing completely in orange to show pride in the team and the country, it can also involve cars, rooms, and even streets being decorated completely in orange.
The practice can result in some wild scenes of massive crowds in all orange.
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