Did You Know That Oranje Fans Feel VAR Delays Five Times Longer?
Watching the Dutch national team is never exactly relaxing. But according to new research by Snickers, Oranje fans do not just wait for VAR decisions, they feel the delays five times longer than they actually last. With the World Cup coming closer, that makes every video check feel like a small emotional crisis. Especially when the Netherlands are involved.
Football’s Longest Pause
Every football fan knows the feeling. A goal goes in, the stadium explodes, and then suddenly everyone looks at the referee. The hand goes to the ear, the screen gets involved, and the celebration turns into nervous silence.
For Dutch fans, that silence feels especially painful. Research by Snickers, carried out by Sapio Research, shows that Oranje supporters experience VAR delays during national team matches as five times longer than they really are.
Objectively, an average VAR check at an international tournament lasts 51 seconds. For the Netherlands, the average intervention is even slightly shorter at 42.8 seconds. Yet Dutch fans experience that wait as 3 minutes and 36.6 seconds.
Oranje and the VAR Waiting Room
It also turns out that the feeling does not come from nowhere. According to an additional analysis by Opta, the Netherlands rank sixth among countries with the most VAR delay during the last three major international tournaments.
Oranje recorded a total VAR delay of 214 seconds, placing them behind countries such as Germany, France, Iran, Portugal and Denmark. At the same time, the Netherlands sit above major football nations like Belgium, England and Spain.
That gives Dutch fans a fair reason to feel like they spend a lot of tournament football waiting for someone in a VAR room to make a decision.
When Seconds Start to Stretch
More than half of Dutch football fans describe football as the most frustrating sport to watch. VAR checks and added time are a big reason for that, with 55% of viewers saying they become visibly irritated while waiting for the final decision.
Snickers has now turned that frustration into part of its international “It’s a Sign for Snickers” campaign. Alongside José Mourinho appearing as the “Calm One” in the international TV commercial, the brand has also launched a Dutch football twist: a remake of the iconic Bassie & Adriaan song “Hou je rustig”.
For the new version, Snickers brought together Russo with Jaap Stam, Tom Beugelsdijk, Sjaak Polak, Jeroen Heubach, Ali Boussaboun, Eric Meijers and referee Bas Nijhuis. Even Aad van Toor, known from Bassie & Adriaan, gave his approval to the remake, making the song feel like a playful bridge between Dutch nostalgia and modern football frustration.
Snacks for Survival
During those tense moments, many fans look for something to take the edge off. Almost half of supporters grab something to eat or drink during a live broadcast, while 55% of Dutch fans believe a snack can make the waiting more bearable.
That idea fits perfectly into Snickers’ new “It’s a Sign for Snickers” campaign, launched in May 2026. As Lotte Monster, Corporate Affairs Manager at Mars Nederland, explains, Snickers knows that you are not yourself when you are hungry, especially when the pressure reaches its peak.
And few moments test that patience quite like waiting for a VAR decision while the whole country holds its breath.
Oranje Patience Will Be Tested
The Netherlands head into the World Cup with plenty of belief, but also with a clear warning for fans: VAR tension is probably not going anywhere.
So when the referee pauses the game, the stadium goes quiet and the seconds start to feel like minutes, Dutch supporters will need more than just hope. They will need patience, nerves of steel and maybe something sweet nearby.
Ready for more?
If you want to read more about the intersection of Oranje and football, check out our article on Wesley Sneijder’s MobLand promo.
From bold flavours to cultural food trends, discover how football influences what’s on the table, and in the glass. Explore more in Flavours of Life.
Want to stay updated with Life After Football exclusive content, behind-the-scenes stories, and lifestyle from beyond the pitch? Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Instagram!
