Dick Advocaat
Dick Advocaat is a Dutch manager aged 78, reappointed as Curaçao head coach and the second-oldest manager at the 2026 World Cup.
Last refreshed: 21 May 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
How did a 78-year-old Dutch veteran guide tiny Curaçao to their first ever World Cup?
Timeline for Dick Advocaat
Named Curaçao's first-ever World Cup squad as reappointed head coach at age 78
2026 FIFA World Cup: Curaçao name first-ever World Cup squad under 78-year-old Advocaat- Who is the coach of Curaçao at the 2026 World Cup?
- Dick Advocaat, aged 78, is the reappointed head coach of Curaçao, who named their first-ever World Cup squad on 18 May 2026.Source: Lowdown
- How did Curaçao qualify for the World Cup?
- Curaçao qualified for their first World Cup in 2026, becoming the smallest nation by population (approximately 160,000) ever to do so, under the coaching of Dick Advocaat.Source: Lowdown
- How old is Dick Advocaat?
- Dick Advocaat was Born on 27 September 1947, making him 78 years old at the time of the 2026 World Cup — the oldest head coach in tournament history.
- What countries has Dick Advocaat managed?
- Advocaat has managed at international level: the Netherlands (twice), South Korea, Russia, Serbia, Iraq, and Curaçao, as well as multiple European club sides.
Background
Dick Advocaat oversaw Curaçao's announcement of their first-ever World Cup squad on 18 May 2026, cementing one of the tournament's most extraordinary stories. Curaçao, with a population of approximately 160,000, became the smallest nation by population ever to qualify for a World Cup. At 78 years old, Advocaat is believed to be the oldest head coach in tournament history. The appointment of a veteran Dutch coach brought tactical structure to a squad of mostly European-based Curaçaoan players.
Born 27 September 1947 in The Hague, Advocaat is one of the most extensively travelled managers in international football. He managed the Netherlands twice, South Korea, Russia, Serbia, and Iraq at international level, as well as club stints at PSV Eindhoven, Rangers, Zenit St. Petersburg, and Sunderland among many others. His pragmatic, defensively organised approach has repeatedly made him a trusted appointment for nations in transition.
Curaçao's qualification is a product of CONCACAF's expanded 41-team format and a squad largely drawn from the Dutch system — many players hold Dutch passports alongside Curaçaoan citizenship. For the island and the wider Caribbean, reaching the World Cup represents a generational achievement. Advocaat's job at the tournament is to ensure Curaçao are competitive, not merely present.