Tom Beugelsdijk, the former professional soccer player known for his stints with ADO Den Haag, Sparta Rotterdam, and others, is poised to make a significant leap from the soccer field to the political arena. As he prepares for the upcoming 2026 municipal elections in The Hague, Beugelsdijk has secured a spot on the Hart van Den Haag party ticket as number fifteen, a position that may hold the key to his aspirations of becoming the party’s sports ambassador.
Richard de Mos, the party leader, has openly expressed confidence in Beugelsdijk’s potential. “He will visit sports clubs and work in collaboration with them to identify what improvements are needed regarding sports facilities, fields, and well-maintained accommodations,” De Mos stated, indicating the role Beugelsdijk could play in enhancing sports infrastructure in the city.
Beugelsdijk’s journey into politics has been a long time coming. Back in 2018, he was slated to be a list pusher for Groep de Mos but ultimately withdrew after tight consultation with ADO Den Haag. “ADO finds that soccer players should focus entirely on the competition; political activities do not fit in with that,” former director Mattijs Manders commented at the time. Nevertheless, the former player, who became a social media sensation after a humorous post-match remark where he humorously responded to a reporter's comment about looking like a tomato, is now ready to reclaim his political ambitions.
He believes that he can make a notable impact, declaring, “I am convinced that next year, 2026, I will be the new Hart voor Den Haag spokesperson for Sport.” His goal is clear: to pave the way for young athletes to have the same opportunities he benefited from during his career. As he articulates his vision, Beugelsdijk emphasizes the necessity of a robust sports infrastructure to support the next generation of athletes.
Despite his former efforts being thwarted by the concerns of his soccer club, Beugelsdijk does not shy away from his aspirations. “In this capacity, I want to ensure that young athletes have the same opportunities as I had back then,” he reiterated. His plans extend beyond just rhetoric; it is crucial for him to work alongside local sports clubs to develop a comprehensive understanding of the landscape of sports provision in The Hague.
The upcoming elections also spotlight political parties’ tendency to enlist recognizable names to bolster their own credibility and draw in votes. Beugelsdijk is not the only former athlete looking to make a political impact; past candidates have included former soccer players Lex Immers and renowned dart champion Raymond van Barneveld, who made an appearance on De Mos’s list during the 2018 elections.
As a candidate this time around, Beugelsdijk is eager to take on a more significant role within Hart van Den Haag than he believed he could during his previous attempts. He is determined to transform the sports environment for youth, stressed by both personal conviction and the backing from De Mos and the party. If elected, he envisions a proactive approach to sports development, including better facilities and high-quality maintenance.
Beugelsdijk concluded with a forward-looking statement, expressing unequivocal faith in his ability to represent the interests of sports in the city: “I am convinced that I will be the new Hart voor Den Haag spokesman for Sport next year.” It is clear that he is stepping into this new chapter with fervor and a deep-seated ambition to elevate the importance of sports as he transitions from a life dedicated to professional soccer to one of public service.
As the 2026 municipal elections draw closer, all eyes will likely be on Beugelsdijk. His previous celebrity as a soccer player, coupled with a potential new role as a lawmaker in The Hague, might not just shape his future but the future for many upcoming sports enthusiasts in the region. Whether he succeeds hinges on his capacity to blend his experience as an athlete with the responsibilities of political office, making tangible changes for the community that supported him during his playing days.
