The Curacao Football Federation (FFK) confirmed Advocaat's appointment on 13/5, a day after coach Fred Rutten resigned. The 78-year-old manager's return comes just three months after he stepped down due to his daughter's health.

"Discussions between FFK and Mr. Advocaat regarding contract details are ongoing, to ensure stability, clarity, and continuity for the national team," the Federation's announcement added.

Coach Dick Advocaat has been leading the Curacao team since 2024, with his coaching career starting in 1980. Photo: Reuters

When Curacao plays its first World Cup match – the opening game against Germany on 14/6 in Houston, US – Advocaat will be 78 years old. This age surpasses the previous record held by coach Otto Rehhagel, who managed Greece at the 2010 World Cup at 71. This will also be Advocaat's third World Cup in his coaching career with three different national teams, following the Netherlands (1994) and South Korea (2006).

At the 2026 World Cup, Curacao is in Group E with Germany, Ecuador, and Ivory Coast. This is the first tournament featuring 48 teams, co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico. The expanded format has provided the North, Central America & Caribbean (CONCACAF) region with three additional direct qualification slots, opening opportunities for smaller nations like Curacao.

Previously, Advocaat himself led the Caribbean team through the qualifiers. However, he resigned in 2/2026 to return to the Netherlands to be with his ill daughter. FFK then appointed another Dutch coach, Fred Rutten, as his successor.

The oldest coaches in men's World Cup history to date, according to Opta data.

Under Rutten, Curacao lost two consecutive friendly matches in 3/2026 against Australia (1-5) and China (0-2). Many sources suggested that the coach was unpopular with the players, who consistently wished for Advocaat's return.

However, FFK President Gilbert Martina denied that Rutten's departure was due to internal conflict. He stated: "I contacted Advocaat on 11/5, immediately after Rutten submitted his resignation. Rutten made his decision for the team's greater good. He did not want debates about the head coach position to affect player morale right before the World Cup."

According to Martina, Advocaat's daughter's health is improving, enabling the veteran coach to be ready to return to work.

Curacao is an island covering 444 square kilometers, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of the Netherlands with a population of only about 156,000 to 180,000 people. It is the nation with the smallest population and smallest area ever to qualify for a World Cup finals.

The team's roster relies entirely on players born and raised in the Netherlands but with Curacaoan roots, many of whom have played for the youth squads of the "Oranje" (nickname for the Netherlands national football team). To prepare for the 2026 World Cup, Curacao will play a friendly match against Scotland at Hampden Park on 30/5.

Ha Phuong compiled