Oranje fans are palpably excited

Football is as much about the fans as it is about players.

Rediff.com takes a look at a few such fans which make the ongoing World Cup it is: successful.

First we see the Dutch fans awaiting the start of the Group E match between the Netherlands and Japan at Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban on Saturday.

The Oranje has given its fans much to cheer with a perfect record.

They have so far been the best European team in the competition.

For the record they won the above match 1-0, courtesy a goal by Wesley Sneijder. 

Here's a Mexican fan waiting for the start of her team's Group A match against France at Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane.

Look at the sombrero on her head. The essentially Mexican headgear might not have looked as good on Hrithik Roshan's head in Kites but this girl looks more than comfortable with tradition.

She wasn't disappointed as the El Tri won 2-0, with goals from Javier Hernandez and Cautehmoc Blanco.

Mexico qualified second behind Uruguay in Group A and now face Argentina in the second round.

An Italian fan blows a kiss to the photographer as she waits for the start of the Group F match against New Zealand at Mbombela stadium in Nelspruit on Sunday.

The match ended 1-1, with Italy having to come from behind to draw.

The Azzuri disappointed this year having drawn both their opening matches.

Marcelo Lippi's side, the defending champions, crashed out after losing to Slovakia in their last group match.

An Argentina fan attends the Group B match against Nigeria at Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg.

La Albieceleste have been the best side in the preliminary stages with three comprehensive wins.

The two-time champions, coached by the legendary Diego Maradona, beat Nigeria 1-0 in their opener before thrashing South Korea 4-1 and beating Greece 2-0.

In doing so they consolidated their status as one of the favourites.

An England fan looks on before their Group C match against Algeria at Green Point stadium in Cape Town.

England, one of the favourites ahead of the competition, have disappointed thus far in South Africa.

The Fabio Capello-coached side drew their opening matches against USA and minnows Algeria before scraping past Slovenia 1-0.

However, they qualified second behind USA in their group and face an intriguing second round match against three-time champions Germany.