KNVB in the world: this is what we do

The Mexican delegation during the friendly match between the young national team and Mexico. - Foto: KNVB Media

The KNVB operates internationally and wants to help develop football. We do this in a wide variety of areas: Through our well-known WorldCoaches programme, through which we train local football coaches worldwide. But of course we also contribute administratively in international committees. And we visit our football colleagues all over the world or receive them in Zeist. We work together, seek connections and we help where needed. We do all this with one goal: to help develop and improve football worldwide, for the future of our football.

On this page, the KNVB periodically shares information about its international activities.

September and October 2024

Update FNV/BWI

The KNVB has periodic consultations with FNV/BWI. In conversation with Petra Bolster Damen (FNV), Paola Cammilli (BWI) and Ambet Yuson (BWI), the current developments in Qatar regarding working conditions were gone over. This keeps the KNVB well informed about the state of affairs after the World Cup in Qatar, during the conversation it emerged that the tournament has had a positive impact on working conditions and rights. What organisations like FNV and BWI are doing can serve as inspiration for football to participate responsibly in tournaments anywhere in the world.

Sustainability session

Before the Netherlands-Germany match, the KNVB organised a session on sustainability. Representatives from the Johan Cruijff ArenA, the Olympic Stadium in Rome, UEFA and DFB, among others, met to look back at Euro 2024 and their joint sustainable ambitions. The Johan Cruijff ArenA's ambition to become ‘net-positive’ by 2030 was discussed, as well as concrete steps and initiatives by the KNVB and DFB to promote sustainable development within football.

Futsal World Cup

At the hand of national coach Miguel Andrés, Orange Futsal experienced an unprecedented World Cup adventure. The experienced Spanish coach led the Netherlands to the highest stage for the first time in 24 years. It did not stop there, as the men of Orange managed to advance to the knockout phase. A great achievement that further strengthens the KNVB's position as a major football country. But more importantly, an achievement that inspires a new generation of (indoor) footballers to dream and above all to enjoy perhaps the most technical branch of football.

TEP Cannes

Frank Paauw and Gijs de Jong represented the KNVB at the Top Executive Program in Cannes. 55 European football associations were represented at the event, where topics such as the new set-up of UEFA club competitions and bids for the 2030 and 2034 World Cup were discussed. The programme provided a valuable opportunity for networking and exchange of views around key international issues.

Signing cooperation agreement with Indonesia

The KNVB has signed a cooperation agreement with the Indonesian Football Federation PSSI. During the visit, Gijs de Jong, secretary general of the KNVB, and Erick Thohir, president of the PSSI, signed a Memorandum of Understanding. This cooperation focuses on the further development of football in Indonesia and promotes knowledge exchange between the two countries. As the first result of this agreement, a practice match between the Dutch women's team and the Indonesian national women's team will take place on Friday 25 October.

Session Ukraine

Top representatives from the Ukrainian Football Federation UAF and UEFA visited the KNVB. The visit got a look behind the scenes at the KNVB Campus and learned how the KNVB strategy was created. Ralf Reniers explained how it was created, how progress is monitored, but also how different departments within the KNVB contribute to it. During the second part of the day, the Ukrainians worked together to develop their own strategy. So during this session, there was not only knowledge exchange. The guests actually further developed their strategy on Dutch soil.

New Zealand

KNVB secretary general Gijs de Jong visited the Football Association of New Zealand and the Oceania Football Confederation earlier this month. Both of which are based in Auckland, New Zealand.

The visit was marked by a meeting with the Pasifika football community at Seaside Park Saturday he meets members of the Pasifika football community in Auckland at Otahuhu United's Seaside Park. During his stay, an exchange was also organised on how New Zealand football and the KNVB are fighting racism and discrimination in their own ways.

Besides the substantive talks, there was also time for football. Gijs de Jong, accompanied by New Zealand Football Association president Johanna Wood, attended a football day for players aged 4 to 8.

Fiji

In cooperation with the Dutch embassy in New Zealand and the Fiji Football Association, the KNVB organised a WorldCoaches course, aiming to boost women's and girls' football. Coaches from Tuvalu, a nearby island state, also participated in the programme.

On the last day of the course, there was a girls' football festival with more than 100 participants, giving the coaches a chance to put their newly acquired skills into practice.

‘A wonderful programme. KNVB WorldCoaches as it was once intended. Working together with the Dutch government, the local association and partners to make lasting impact by properly training coaches.’ Thus Gijs de Jong, Secretary-General of the KNVB who was in Fiji to open the course.

Lunch with UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin

Frank Paauw and Gijs de Jong visited UEFA headquarters in Nyon on 15 October for an official lunch with UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin and Zoran Lakovic, Director National Associations Division. Besides various bilateral talks, the lunch discussed developments and challenges at both European and global levels.

Memorial meeting Johan Neeskens

On Monday 21 October, in the presence of friends, acquaintances and invited guests from the world of football, a memorial meeting in honour of Johan Neeskens took place in the evening at the KNVB Campus. Johan Neeskens died suddenly last Sunday, 6 October. At the time of his death, he was staying in Algeria for work for KNVB WorldCoaches.

The KNVB reflects on the grief we share with the family, friends of Johan Neeskens and the football community. That Johan Neeskens was a special person was reflected in the international attention his passing has received.

Visit of Slovak Ministry of Sport to Zeist

The Slovak Ministry of Sport visited the KNVB centre in Zeist on 10 October. The delegation was received for a discussion on sports policy, where knowledge exchange and forward-looking cooperation were central issues.

Visit Mexican Federation and Clubs

The Mexican Football Association and representatives of several Mexican clubs visited the Netherlands on 10 October. The exchange focused on strengthening partnerships and sharing insights and best practices. In addition, the Dutch national team played a practice match in Almelo against their peers from Mexico.