The FIFA Women’s World Cup Trophy arrived in the Netherlands earlier this week, as part of a 32-country tour, and was met by a FIFA delegation including Secretary General Fatma Samoura, Chief Women’s Football Officer Sarai Bareman and Director of Member Associations Europe Elkan Mammadov, who guided it through the various events put in place by the Koninklijke Nederlandse Voetbalbond/Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) to highlight the ultimate prize in women’s football.

Kicking off the Trophy Tour action, the FIFA delegation travelled to VV Nijnsel, a football club located in Noord-Brabant, where they were met by representatives of the KNVB including Secretary General Gils de Jong and Women’s Football Manager Lucienne Reichardt and welcomed by VV Nijnsel Chairwoman Doreen van den Berkmortel, as well as Alderman and Deputy Mayor of Nijnsel, Johan van Gerwen.

Celebration was in the air as members young and old of the club, which celebrates its seventy-five-year jubilee this August, came out in force to welcome the FIFA Women’s World Cup Trophy, in their team colours of yellow and blue.

Speaking about the event, Fatma Samoura said: “Today was a great opportunity to be amongst so many passionate FIFA Women’s World Cup and Oranje Leeuwinnen fans. The competition is a symbol of when talent, passion, skill, and hard work come together to take a team, and the hearts of a nation – Beyond Greatness. Beyond Greatness was chosen as the slogan of the competition, because at FIFA we are committed to taking not just women’s football, but all women and girls involved in the game Beyond Greatness. To be the best they can be and to exceed expectations, of what girls and women are and can do. To Go Beyond.”

The delegation then attended an event dedicated to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Trophy at the residence of the Australian Ambassador to the Netherlands, Julie Heckscher. There, they met with New Zealand Ambassador to the Netherlands Susannah Gordon, Charge d’Affaires for the Australian Embassy James Buttigeg and Dutch Member of Parliament and former football international, Jeanet van der Laan. KNVB General Secretary Gijs de Jong and Technical Director Nigel de Jong, KNVB Director of Professional Football Marianne van Leeuwen and KNVB Director of Amateur Football Jan Dirk van der Zee were also in attendance.

The FIFA Secretary General thanked the KNVB, and diplomats present for their genuine excitement about the upcoming tournament and the warm welcome extended to the FIFA delegation.

The KNVB Cup final was next on the agenda, where Twente Women emerged victorious with a 4-0 win over PSV.

The following day, the FIFA delegation traveled to the KNVB Campus for discussions on the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the readiness of the Oranje Leeuwinnen squad, with Secretary General Gijs de Jong, as well as receiving a guided tour of the facilities, including visits to the VAR room and medical and innovation centres.

The FIFA Secretary General then took part in a meeting with the KNVB Youth Council, a body comprised of eleven young people who have been working alongside the KNVB since 2018, providing input on what drives youth and how to best train the administrators of the future.

In her talks with the group Fatma Samoura discussed women’s football and its ability to inspire; sustainability; the importance of respect and good behaviour, as well as explaining how FIFA’s Football for Schools initiative aims to instill these qualities in young people through football.

The visit concluded by meeting with players hoping to be chosen to represent the Netherlands at the Euro Unity Cup, a European Championship for refugees organised by UEFA.

Speaking before departing the country, the FIFA Secretary General said: “The excitement is truly palpable among women’s football fans in the Netherlands ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup. The passion, support and love the Dutch have for their team, and women’s football is heart-warming. I hope to see the orange army on the move in the southern hemisphere for their side’s games in New Zealand’s cities of Dunedin and Wellington. Dankjewel for the fantastic welcome!”

The next stop for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Trophy Tour is France, host of the eighth edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2019. The iconic Trophy is touring all 32 FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 participating nations, with special guests and famous faces supporting the Trophy Tour’s campaign, Going Beyond: a mission to inspire, coach and spotlight future female football talent of all levels and backgrounds, building unprecedented global excitement and support ahead of the tournament’s kick-off in July.

Find out more about the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™️ here.