Dutch fans flood the streets of downtown Kansas City

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Oranje Army shut down Grand Boulevard ahead of the Netherlands' final group stage game.

Both local and international soccer fans flooded the streets of the Kansas City ahead of the third World Cup game played at arrowhead stadium. Starting at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, fans began to crowd the Power and Light district dressed to partake in one of the largest pregame events at the world cup.

Dutch fans pioneered a march across the town their team was playing in as a way to prepare for the action happening later in the evening. When arriving in Missouri, it was no different, with many traveling all the way from the Netherlands to attend the game against Tunisia.

But this time when the team's fans met downtown, they were met with many local residents ready to join the Oranje Army in their walk from the Power and Light district to KC Fan Fest.

"If Holland won the World Cup, the Amsterdam streets would not be this busy, because we do not have these big avenues, these big streets," said Dutch fan Tom Grond.

The crowd of fans stretched for more than a mile, with many making the entire walk straight down Grand Boulevard.

"The Dutch national team is something for us, that's very emotional. And people like to follow the Dutch team as they're a part of our culture, and, we follow them everywhere around the entire world," said Jelle Zand Veld, who travelled from the Netherlands to Kansas City for the game. "We love to be here as Dutch, and Austrians, and Americans all together."

Despite severe weather impacting forcing Fan Fest to shut down earlier than anticipated, Arrowhead is still expected to be painted orange for the game against Tunisia.

"I've been to four World Cups. I've been to the Euros. I've seen a lot in Holland. So seeing this orange army here in Kansas City is mind blowing," said Grond.

The Netherlands and Tunisia are set to face off at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 25.