Football fans have just figured out why Netherlands wear orange home kit

Football fans have realised why the Netherlands national team wear an orange shirt despite the colour not featuring on the country's flag.

On the international stage, fewer teams are as iconic as the Netherlands. Since 1905, they've wowed the world with a stunning brand of football.

Louis van Gaal's side are currently in Qatar for the World Cup and top of Group A after a 3-1 win over Senegal and a 1-1 draw with Ecuador.

Cody Gakpo is among the players to impress most at the tournament, scoring twice in two games.

It's their 11th World Cup appearance and they'll be looking to go all the way for the fourth time.

The Netherlands lost in the final in 1974, 1978 and 2010. In those finals, they wore their eye-catching orange jerseys.

At this tournament, they're decked out in a 'laser orange' effort which looks more yellow in the Doha sunlight.

The flag of the Netherlands is red, white and blue, but have you ever stopped to wonder why the shirts they wear are orange?

Well, we've got the answer.

The Netherlands' kit and crest is orange because it's the colour of the House of Orange-Nassau - the Dutch royal family.

'Prince of Orange' is seen as a compliment in the country. They aren't the only sports team to wear orange.

The Netherlands' hockey and rugby do so too, while the football team's nickname is 'Oranje'.

Media outlets in the country have referred to the team as the 'Clockwork Orange'.

Victory over Qatar on Tuesday will see the Netherlands top Group A with seven points. They're 17-games unbeaten since van Gaal returned for a third stint in charge in 2021.

In his pre-match press conference on Monday, he demanded respect for his achievements.

He told reporters: "I agree with the criticism but we are unbeaten for 17 matches and I think if you look at the goal difference too we deserve some respect."