This is clearly one of the great stories of the 2026 World Cup. The island of Curaçao, with its around 150,000 inhabitants, has become the smallest country to qualify for the big football event.
Led by players like Armando Obispo (PSV) and Leandro Bacuna (Aston Villa), Curaçao created a surprise in the Concacaf Zone, and will challenge Germany (June 14), Ecuador (June 20) and Ivory Coast (June 25) next summer, in Group E of the World Cup. Unfortunately, it will be without his coach, Dick Advocaat.
Dick Advocaat must leave Curaçao
The highly experienced Dutch technician left his post on Monday, with immediate effect. This decision is not linked to any sporting or financial reason. It is the state of health of his daughter which pushes the former coach of the Netherlands and Glasgow Rangers to take a step back.
“I have always said that family comes before football, explains Advocaat in the press release from the Curacian federation. So it’s an obvious decision for me. But that obviously won’t change the fact that I’m going to miss Curaçao, I’m going to miss the people here and my colleagues a lot. »
Dick Advocaat is replaced by another Dutchman, Fred Rutten. The latter was expected to succeed his compatriot after the World Cup, according to the Batavian media.
