KNVB in the world: this is what we do

The Netherlands was represented by the KNVB at the large memorial service in memory of Franz Beckenbauer. - Foto: KNVB Media

The KNVB operates internationally and wants to help develop football. We do so in a wide variety of areas: Through our well-known WorldCoaches programme, through which we train local football coaches worldwide. But we also make an administrative contribution to international committees, of course. And we visit our football colleagues around the world or host them in Zeist. We work together, seek connection and provide assistance where needed. We all do this for one purpose: To help develop and improve football globally, for the future of our football.

The KNVB periodically shares information about its international activities on this site.

January 

Progress of BWI/FNV collaboration

On Tuesday, 16 January 2024, Building and Woodworkers' International (BWI) and the Dutch FNV were guests at the KNVB Campus in Zeist, the Netherlands. As is well-known, the proceeds from the World Cup shirts auction have been transferred to FNV International, and BWI will ensure that the money is spent in the best possible way to support the migrant workers in Qatar. It was good to hear from BWI that this contribution helps in many areas such as e aducation, legal support, training and sports activities. 

Besides our contacts with the national and international trade unions, the UEFA working group on human rights and sustainability around the World Cup in Qatar is still active. In early February, the KNVB was updated at a meeting by Dominique Blanc, who serves on the FIFA Human Rights Committee on behalf of the UEFA. The main conclusion is that, despite the delay, the promised independent report will be published before the FIFA Congress on 17 May 2024. 

Franz Beckenbauer farewell ceremony

On 19 January, a large memorial service in memory of Franz Beckenbauer was held at the Allianz ArenA in Munich. The stadium hosted nearly 30,000 people who attended this ceremony, among them the prime minister of Germany and the Bundespresident of the DFB. The football world was in massive attendance with several delegations from FIFA, UEFA, clubs and associations. The Netherlands was represented by the KNVB, through President Just Spee and Secretary-General Gijs de Jong.

Meeting of European secretaries-general

At the invitation of UEFA, all European secretaries-general convened in Switzerland on Wednesday, 24 January. Current issues were addressed and long-term challenges and opportunities discussed. It was a meeting that obviously benefits European cooperation.

FIFA inspection visit

During the week of 29 January to February 2, a so-called inspection visit took place as part of our bid for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2027. This included visits to a number of sites that play a role in our joint bid Belgium Netherlands Germany 2027 (BNG2027): the itinerary ran from Dusseldorf, via Dortmund, Brussels and Eindhoven, to Zeist and Amsterdam. The FIFA delegation gained a proper understanding of the quality of the venues, and leading figures from the world of football and politics stopped by at various locations to support the bid. Mayors Jeroen Dijsselbloem (Eindhoven) and Femke Halsema (Amsterdam) also attended, as did Minister Conny Helder (Sport) and former players and KNVB colleagues Sari van Veenendaal, Lucienne Reichardt and Nigel de Jong. 

Annual ambassadors' conference

Every year, the Dutch ambassadors, who staff all posts around the world for our country on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, meet for one week in The Hague; for the KNVB a good time to connect with many partners. So we looked back with Ard van de Vorst at the Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand and ahead to the Worldcoaches program we will be starting in Fiji at his request. We spoke with Andre Haspels about an upcoming visit to China, and in consultation with Wouter Jurgens, director of Asia and Oceania, we organised an informative get-together. In the process, we updated all ambassadors in that region on our bid for the Women's World Cup in 2027. 

UEFA Congress

Paris hosted this year's UEFA Congress. On the agenda were a number of important statutory matters, including the adjustment of the UEFA directors' terms of office and the UEFA's position on the Super League.

In addition to the formal meetings, many other, less formal meetings were scheduled to discuss with several other European countries topics such as cooperation with FIFA around World Cup bids, our common international strategy and mutual cooperation were discussed. 

Thursday saw the draw for the Nations League. This draw paired the Netherlands with Hungary, Germany and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Among others, national coach Ronald Koeman was present at this draw. 

Latvia's visit to the KNVB

On January 19, colleagues from the Latvian Football Association visited for an informative tour of our KNVB Campus. Lucienne Reichardt (manager of women's football) and Eefje Janus (commercial lead of Azerion Eredivisie Vrouwen) provided the guests from Latvia with insight into the KNVB strategy, our approach to women's football and our various campaigns around amateur football across the board.

Capacity building workshop in Glasgow

A so-called capacity building workshop was held in Glasgow on 30 and 31 January. The main focus was on developing collaborations between governments, sports associations and other concerned organizations to make social impact. The Dutch delegation included the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, municipalities, NOC*NSF and the KNVB.