Dick Advocaat

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 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.