KNVB in the world: This is what we do

In Morocco, a football pitch was named after Johan Neeskens. - 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 World Coaches 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 site, the KNVB periodically shares information about its international activities.

International match Netherlands - Indonesia

One of the first activities under the recently concluded Memorandum of Understanding with the Indonesian Football Association was the international match between the Dutch national women's team and Indonesia. Besides the sporting importance of this match, the cooperation also offers long-term perspective. Here the focus is on coach training, representative soccer and commercial opportunities for both parties. 

Ballon d'Or

KNVB president Frank Paauw and secretary general Gijs de Jong attended the presentation of the most important football awards of the year on Monday 28 October, at the invitation of UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin. Communication focused mainly on the absence of Real Madrid and the selection of Rodri as winner of the Ballon d'Or, but the same stage was also used to honor Johan Cruijff. From now on, the Coach of the Year award will bear the name of the legendary Dutch footballer and coach. On the occasion, Jordi Cruijff was also present in Paris. 

IFAB 

On Tuesday 29 October the FAB/TAB meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) took place. FAB/TAB stands for Football Advisory Panel and Technical Advisory Panel. The KNVB was asked to present a state of affairs in the area of game rule innovations. This concerned both the innovations in the youth B-category (dribbling, substitution and time penalties) and the successful experiments during the Future Cup in Amsterdam and the Otten Innovation Cup in Eindhoven. 

Nations League 

After a win over Hungary and a draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Netherlands finished second in Group 3 of Division A of the Nations League. Germany won the pool, Hungary and Bosnia-Herzegovina finished as number 3 and 4. The draw on Friday 22 November paired the Netherlands with Spain in the quarter-finals. The Netherlands will play at home first on Thursday 20 March. The return will take place in Spain on Sunday, March 23. 

Visit Saudi Arabia 

KNVB president Frank Paauw and secretary-general Gijs de Jong paid a working visit to Saudi Arabia on 25 and 26 November. Here, they had talks with the Dutch ambassador, representatives of the Saudi Football Association, the Saudi Pro League, the bid, Dutch companies active in Saudi Arabia and the national human rights commission.

The KNVB delegation also visited a regional training centre where children from Riyadh receive football training. They further discussed preparations for the 2034 World Cup, the allocation of which is expected to take place on Wednesday 11 December. 

WorldCoaches 

In the period from September to November, the KNVB, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Dutch embassy in Jordan, UNCHR, CARE, AFDP Global and JOHUD, organised two courses in the Azraq refugee camp in Jordan. The courses focused on promoting social cohesion between Syrian and Jordanian participants. Two WorldCoaches co-teachers, who were previously part of the programme in Jordan, supervised these sessions as part of their development from participant to (co-)teacher. 

In addition, two special events were organised from WorldCoaches: 

• Tribute to Johan Neeskens: a tribute to Johan Neeskens was held in Colombia and Morocco.
  Tribute to Johan Neeskens in Colombia and Morocco Read the full article.
• 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence: An event was held in Jordan on 25 and 26 November to mark the launch of this global campaign to end violence against women and girls. Attending on behalf of the KNVB included Anouk Hoogendijk, Claudia van der Heiligenberg and Corina Dekker. 

Anniversaries Cyprus, Bulgaria and Poland 

KNVB president Frank Paauw represented the Netherlands and the KNVB at the 90th anniversary of the Cyprus Football Association (CFA) on 5 November.Together with representatives of the European football summit, Paauw reflected on the rich football history and social role of the Cypriot association, which has been connecting and fraternising football on the island for almost a century. 

The Cyprus Football Association is younger than the KNVB. The CFA was there before the creation of the Republic of Cyprus as we know it today and, with clubs such as APOEL Nicosia, has an important position in European football. The Cyprus national team also continuously participates in qualification series for major tournaments, an achievement that has put the sport in this small country firmly on the map. 

In addition, the KNVB has received honourable invitations to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Bulgarian Football Association and the 105th anniversary of the Polish Football Association.In doing so, too, the association president will congratulate the respective federations for reaching these beautiful and important milestones.