Most Dutch football fans will be supporting Belgium at the World Cup in Russia which kicks off today, according to a poll of 18,000 people for broadcaster NOS and regional tv companies.

The Netherlands failed to qualify for the championships after a disastrous campaign.

Some 30% of people who took part in the poll back Belgium, 18% Germany and 4% Morocco – which has several dual Dutch national players in its ranks. A further 16.5% said they would not be supporting anyone. England and Iceland complete the line up of the five most popular teams.

However, there are wide regional differences. In the south of the country, support for Belgium soars to between 70% and 80% among fans of local clubs Willem II, NAC Breda, PSV Eindhoven and MVV Maastricht. FV Emmen, VVV Venlo and Roda JC fans are more likely to back Germany

The Moroccan team has most supporters among fans of ADO Den Haag and FC Utrecht – about 14%.

Morocco starts its World Cup campaign on Friday afternoon against Iran. Germany will meet Mexico on Sunday and Belgium takes on Panama on Monday.