Sweden’s fans numbered between 4,000 and 6,000, according to the Houston Police Department, while there were at least 15,000 at the Netherlands march, the Dutch federation estimated.
Netherlands fans formed a sea of orange as they headed toward NRG Stadium, known as Houston Stadium during the World Cup, from Rice University’s campus at 8:45 a.m. to cheer on the Oranje in the Group F battle.
The Oranje Fanwalk, a Dutch tradition in which throngs of fans march behind the orange-painted, double-decker “Oranje Bus,” was so large that it stalled traffic at Greenbriar Drive and Braeswood Boulevard.
A parallel march for Sweden’s fans set off from TMC Helix Park at 9:30 a.m. after blue- and yellow-clad fans enjoyed a breakfast of brisket and Jagermeister. Fans chanted “Forward, Sweden!” as they marched.
With a heat advisory in place, both teams’ fans contended with high humidity and feels-like temperatures above 85 degrees. Some pressed cold water bottles to their faces, while during the Oranje Walk, a fire truck doused marchers with water.
Staff writers Peter Warren, Naina Srivastava and Kathleen Ortiz contributed to this report.