World Cup Flags in the Netherlands

My favourite thing about the World Cup is seeing flags from countries around the world where I live.

In 2014, I took photos of World Cup flags I saw in London, so I thought I would do the same in 2026 - here are World Cup flags in the Netherlands.

Amsterdam

Orange flags in Jordaan

Teeny-tiny Colombia flag

Small Turkey flag

Rotterdam

The Hague

Utrecht

World Cup Flags

It's been two weeks since the World Cup ended, and I'm missing seeing World Cup flags all over London.

So to satiate my vexillology longing, here are some of my favourite flag sightings.

My favourite flag sightings came about when two flags were displayed on one household or building, showing a lovely multinational mix. Like this one above from Willesden Junction: Brazilian café downstairs and a German flag flying above - a very London sight.

World Cup in London: Argentina

For the second World Cup semi-final, I chose to watch Argentina -v- Netherlands at Moo Cantina in Pimlico with lots of Argentina fans.

It was super-packed, so I again took to hanging around outside.

A nice old lady just toddled past the bar, declaring "I say, it's a full house, isn't it?". She's not wrong.

It wasn't the most exciting match (until the penalties!) so people watching was again the order of the evening.

Best thing about the Argentina fans so far? The man dressed in a grey shaggy dog onesie waving a small Argentina flag.

Argentina fan here did a very dramatic "touch wood" gesture by thumping a flower bed surround.

Singing as if they're winning: a song which seems like a ten stanza epic.

A goal was disallowed, leading to roars and disappointment.

But, in the end, Argentina came out victorious, leading to celebrations (which sadly I didn't photograph, as my phone battery was perilously low).

The Argentina fans are going crazy - chanting, bellowing, stripping off, cheering.

"Ole ole ole cada dia te queiro mas," sing the Argentina fans, "soy Argentinoooo!"

And as I sloped home on the bus, London served up fans from both Uruguay and Netherlands on the bus.

On bus home, sitting next to a fan in a Dutch t-shirt. He sat stoically watching the Argentina fans dancing up a storm.

Meanwhile, behind the Dutch fan on the bus, a lady from Argentina is posing for photos in her autographed football shirt, cackling joyously.

World Cup in London: Germany

Last night I went to watch Germany-v- Brazil with German fans at Zeitgeist, a German bar in Vauxhall.

And what a match to choose to support Germany, as they pounded Brazil 7-1.

The bar was super-packed and sold out, so I hung around on the street outside. In spite of this, the atmosphere was infectious from the bar within.

Huge cheers every time Germany get the ball here. On top of chants, singing, face painting, flag waving and general good Teutonic cheer.

Someone in the German pub has got hold of a cowbell and is not afraid to use it.

But in spite of all the surprise, joy and celebrations as all the goals poured in to the Brazilian net, there was still room for a few (jaded) German stereotypes.

Meanwhile, amongst all celebrating, a man is perched at a bench checking emails on his laptop. Insert your own German efficiency jokes.

Some men here are discussing how Angela Merkel will react.

Germans dancing on tables here. Lots of muttering about rules from the doormen.

And, as always, the best entertainment comes from watching how other people react and enjoy the game.

A German fan on a bike has just arrived late. His disbelief at the score matched by him realising he's missed ALL the goals.

Spanish woman describing her German boyfriend - "ginger and white as hell" - celebrating: "he went bright red and waaaaaaah"

World Cup in London: Brazil

I went to watch Brazil -v- Colombia on Friday evening in Willesden.

There are lots of Brazilian shops and cafés in Willesden Junction / Harlesden, so I was expecting a good atmosphere.

Wandering around before the match, I saw lots of Brazilian flags adorned houses and shops - mainly a combination of Brazilian beauty and butchers.

I first settled in a small café bar, which was pretty quiet to begin with... until Brazil scored their first goal a few minutes into the match.

It's all got a bit more lively here since the goal. A delightfully flighty woman is going around painting everyone's face green and yellow.

Nonetheless, mid-way through the first half, I decided to wander on and found The Misty Moon in Harlesden.

This large bar was full, packed full of Brazilian fans. It was a huge party.

It sounds like there's a ten piece samba band up the front of this bar. I can't see (it's so crowded), so there may well be.

There's a lot of Mexican waving going on to a Beyonce's Single Ladies soundtrack.

Two guys on a stage up the front are DJing and throwing gifts to the crowd. A bright blue raffia wig has just gone flying.

Huge energy here. A woman turns to her friend saying "You need to calm the F down" before blowing her vuvuzuela for more than a full minute.

Into the second half, Brazil were in the lead, and the celebrations had begun. Lots were paying no attention to the game, choosing to dance, laugh, party.

Then out came a huge Brazilian flag, the size of an average London flat.

A Brazilian flag the size of a house has been unfurled, with lots of enthusiastic waving.

A banner outside the bar was emblazoned with Rio de Harlesden. It really felt like I was in Brazil when the final whistle went.

The singing and dancing went on for ages. As I left, all along my bus route, more and more groups of Brazil fans were waving their flags and celebrating their victory.

Imagine what it'll be like if they actually win the World Cup!

World Cup in London: Uruguay

I've watched the World Cup with Uruguay fans before - in a bar in Leicester Square. Since then, I've wondered if there is a more authentic place to watch... a Uruguayan bar or cafe perhaps.

With that in mind, for Uruguay -v- Colombia, I headed to Canthinha do Goias in Stockwell (thanks to a tip from World in London) where I found a very dark, small room packed full of Uruguay fans, some Brazil fans and three Colombia fans!

There were lots of Uruguay flags and football shirts on display, and the small crowd were hooked on watching the match.

But it soon went south for Uruguay as Colombia scored a goal.

Colombia goal celebrated here by a mass groan from the Uruguay fans and a single overhead hand clap from the Colombian woman.

Then, just as some enthusiasm was waning, another person arrived who got everyone excited again.

Some old dude with long hair has just bounded in and got everyone shouting and chanting. Maybe he's their ambassador?!

Despite being 2-0 down, the Uruguay fans are still chanting: Vamos! Uruguay! Opa! Allioppa! Vamo! Alle! O Zelete! Vamos!

One woman here has rather hopefully tried to get a "C'mon Suarez!" chant going. The love has not been felt.

Full on singalong here now. One song goes "no passera" (not going through, I think). It's good to have a song for every occasion, isn't it?

"It is possible, it is possible!", pleads the long-haired Uruguay dude here. Others less than convinced.

In the midst of all this Spanish chanting, a Liverpudlian lad has launched into a string of ferocious expletives.

But, despite their singing, chanting and applauding, it was not possible and Uruguay were defeated and out of the World Cup. It didn't seem to phase the fans too much though; they continued dancing and singing regardless.

World Cup in London: Bosnia-Hercegovina

Yesterday, I went to watch Bosnia -v- Iran with London's Bosnian fans...

...but it was pretty hard going to find any.

After some searching, I heard about Bosnian fans congregating in a bar in Fulham, so I headed there.

I'd seen some photos of fans there watching Bosnia's previous match; the atmosphere looked good!


But when I turned up, there really wasn't anyone I could say was Bosnia. Maybe that woman in the Bosnian blue dress? The guys in suits? Maybe not...

I stayed around, half-watching the match. Bosnia were soaring and scoring 1-0, 2-0, 2-1, 3-1. It was only on the third goal that some guys cheered loudly, I realised that they were Bosnian. And so was the woman in the blue dress!

Then just before the match ended, a guy turns up draped in a Bosnian flag.

So, in the end, there wasn't a great Bosnia-supporting atmosphere, but it was good to finally find some Bosnian fans in London.

World Cup in London: Algeria

I went to watch Algeria -v- South Korea last night, with Algerian fans in Cricklewood.

I've been here before - in 2009 - when I watched a World Cup qualifying match. It was so good then, I knew I'd come back.

To run out an old football cliché, it was a game of two halves.

I spent the first half in a quiet café; the second half in a more excited café - with drums and tambourines

It's all blokes here (except for the one woman working in the cafe). Some are chatting and paying no attention to the match..

In both venues, the fans were loud and lively when Algeria scored, but sat quietly chatting for the rest of the time. Cool for school, they were.

All pretty quiet here except for the two Algerian fans wearing flags who grunt/chant whenever Algeria have a chance at goal.

The Algerian fans are certainly a bit more animated now they're 3-0 up. One man is hitting his plastic bottle on the table to celebrate. Everybody in the café is jumping, jumping.

The Algeria fans have all piled out to tge street for a celebratory fag and flag-wave.

Much like the Colombia match in Elephant and Castle, as I was standing on the street, people passing by add to it all.

- An old Irish guy just wandered past, noticing the score. "This is not over yet," he says sagely. 

 - A happy guy just went by, checked the score, and shouted "oh ho Africa!" while punching the air. 

- Man wearing an Irish soccer shirt passes, oblivious. 

- Algerian fan: "Ireland! Who're you supporting? Algeria?" 

- Irish fan: "Oh yeah, definitely" *thumbs up*

Next up: Bosnia Hercegovina -v- Iran, hopefully with Bosnia fans... if I can find them!

World Cup in London: Iran

On Monday last, I went to watch Iran -v- Nigeria with London's Iran fans.

The fans had gathered in an upstairs room of the Henry Holland pub, right by Selfridges. I had found out about it via a Facebook group Iranian Students in UK.

Now, as it turned out, this match was tiresomely boring. A nil all draw does not an interesting match make. But the Iranian fans were much more entertaining, singing, chanting, flag waving, even a little dancing. Someone brought a vuvuzuela

Happily they're all chanting "eee-ran! eee-ran!" over that vuvuzuela. You can't beat a football chant.

Someone here is chanting 'in-go-lay, in-go-lay'. I presume this means 'please score a goal and make this game interesting'.

The event wasn't as big a family affair as the Colombia match I watched - it being organised by students, I guess - but there was a little baby there, playing a little football and mildly oblivious the sport on the screen.

Most of the Iran fans here seem to be students. The Iran student look: jet black, super-quiffed hair and big dark-rimmed glasses.

There was definitely a man with a plan, a guy in charge - he had that vuvuzuela and he wasn't afraid to use it.

The chap leading the chanting is wearing a Brazil cap, England hoodie + is draped in an Iranian flag. ❤️

A blonde woman in a brown suit has just arrived. She's blowing her whistle very enthusiastically.

Full-on chant-a-thon here with the Iranian fans. Sadly still nothing doing in the goal department.

With the match limping to the draw, the Iran fans kept on singing, happily accepting the score. They certainly made watching the match more memorable.

Next up: Sunday's Algeria -v- South Korea match, with Algerian fans.

World Cup in London: Colombia

I've started watching the 2014 World Cup in London with foreign fans, as I've done before.

My first match for 2014 was Colombia -v- Greece, which I watched with lots of Colombian fans in Elephant and Castle.

There's a large Latin American community around Elephant and Castle, mainly since the 1980s. Each year the area hosts the excellent Carnaval del Pueblo, the largest Latin American carnival in Europe.

So I was expecting good things as I headed there.

My first 2014 World Cup with the foreign fans off to a glamorous start: hanging out on the street outside a butcher's with Colombian fans.

There were certainly lots of fans around - I reckon about 8 or 9 venues showing the match, all busy. The main venue, La Bodeguita, was super-busy with long queues.

Colombia-v-Greece 1at half highlights: fun family atmosphere outside the Carnería and big mass selfie being taken. 

Elephant and Castle awash with Colombian fans' yellow jerseys this afternoon #WorldCup #se1 (No hope getting in to La Bodeguita!)

There was a real family atmosphere, with all ages around, from abeulas down to babies.

I mainly hung out in two places - in a restaurant called Leños y Carbón which was packed and outside a butcher shop in a back-street which had a TV plonked on a table and lots of people watching the match.

With that second goal, the place has erupted; they're chanting Co-lom-bia!! Co-lom-bia!!

Outside the butcher's, the owner repeatedly slammed a metal tray onto the ground. Everyone found this hilarious - the first time, they weren't so keen the rest of the time.

There was a great atmosphere, taking mass photos of the whole crowd, chanting songs, doing Mexican waves and flinging popcorn around.

With Colombia's third goal and the final whistle, they all started dancing and singing and celebrating a wonderful win.

Goal 3! Lots more cheering and shouting! And now comes the music and dancing for victory!

I loved being on the street watching the match, seeing people walk past, get involved and excited by the match and cheer along with the Colombians.

Some England-flag-clad fans just went past: "Is it a pub, a café? Nah, is just a TV, innit?" This isn't *just* a TV

African taxi driver just pulled up, asking, "Are you winning?! What's the score?" His response: "OK! Good luck! Hehehe!!"

So a 3-0 victory to Colombia and lots of celebrations - there were still fans dancing hours later.

Next match for me: Iran -v- Nigeria with Iranian fans.

Variations on a Brazilian flag

When I was in Belgium, I saw this flag hanging from a building. It's the Brazilian flag re-purposed with Belgian colours.

I love this take on the Brazilian flag, re-purposed to support Belgium in this year's football World Cup.

So I decided to make a few more flags:

 This could be any number of countries - Australia, Costa Rica, Chile, France, Croatia.

Cameroon.

Colombia or Ecuador

Netherlands - though I suspect they're more likely to have a big, bright orange flag.

Germany

 Portugal

1

Iran or Mexico or Italy

Ivory Coast

 Nigeria

Spain

Switzerland

Uruguay or Bosnia and Herzegovina