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Harris County, TX, June 20, 2026, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo welcomed the Netherlands to Harris County for the World Cup this weekend by joining the iconic Oranje Fanwalk on Saturday, as well as meeting with top Netherlands leaders at a reception at Rice University on Friday. During these events, Judge Hidalgo met with several of the leaders she met during Harris County’s trade mission to the Netherlands earlier this year in order to continue strengthening international ties. 

“This weekend was a perfect example of what the World Cup represents: a high-energy, exciting moment for football fans all around the world and an opportunity to strengthen Harris County’s strategic international partnerships. The Netherlands is Harris County’s largest international trading partner and one of our greatest friends abroad, and I’m so proud of how Harris County came together to welcome them to our region this weekend for the World Cup!” said Judge Hidalgo.

A beloved tradition organized by the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB), the Oranje Fanwalk brought together more than 15,000 fans together to cheer on the Netherlands ahead of the Netherlands vs. Sweden World Cup match in Houston on Saturday. The iconic double-decker Oranje Bus, which was shipped in from overseas, led the parade from Rice University Stadium to Houston Stadium to watch the match.

From left to right: KNVB President Frank Paauw, Ambassador Birgitta Tazelaar, Judge Hidalgo, Minister Mirjam Sterk, and Consul General Lisette den Breems. 

At the welcome reception Friday night at Rice University, Judge Hidalgo spoke with Netherlands leaders including:

• Lisette den Breems, Consul General of the Netherlands in Miami
• Consul General Aura Cuellar, Honorary Consul General of the Netherlands in Houston
• Birgitta Tazelaar, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United States 
• Mirjam Sterk, Dutch Minister of Long-Term Care, Youth and Sport 
• Stef van de Vijver, Economic Officer, Netherlands Business Support Office in Texas (NBSO)
• Frank Paauw, KNVB President
• Martin van Ginkel, KNVB Head of Events and Project Lead, FIFA World Cup 2026 
• Gijs de Jong, KNVB General Secretary

During Harris County’s trade mission to the Netherlands earlier this year, Judge Hidalgo and the delegation met KNVB at an investment summit organized that brought together 10 Dutch companies and startups interested in investment and partnership opportunities in the Houston region, with a focus on leveraging data, technology, and strategic partnerships to enhance fan engagement and strengthen player development.

The trade mission delegation also met with Arcadis, a Dutch global design, engineering, and consultancy firm that works with governments and private companies around the world on infrastructure, sustainability and mobility projects, during their time in the Netherlands. Arcadis has worked on major projects across the Houston region, including ongoing engineering work to protect the Texas Gulf Coast. 

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