Dick Advocaat resigns as Curacao manager before World Cup

Dick Advocaat has resigned as head coach of Curacao just months before the 2026 World Cup citing concerns over his daughter’s health.

The 78-year-old was set to lead the Caribbean nation in their historic tournament opener against four-time champions Germany.

However, the veteran Dutch manager has made the decision to prioritize his family welfare over the competition in North America.

“Family comes before football,” Advocaat said in a statement released by the country’s federation.

“This is therefore a natural decision. But that doesn’t change the fact that I will miss Curacao, the people there, and my colleagues very much.”

‘Smallest country in the world’

Curacao are poised to make history this summer as the smallest nation by population ever to compete at the men’s World Cup.

The autonomous Dutch territory has approximately 156,000 inhabitants.

This surpasses the record previously held by Iceland, who had a population of just over 350,000 when they qualified for Russia 2018.

The former Rangers and Sunderland boss described qualifying with the minnows as one of the “highlights” of his extensive career.

“I’m proud of my players, staff, and the board members who believed in us,” Advocaat added.

Fred Rutten has been immediately confirmed as the man to replace Advocaat in the dugout.

The new head coach brings experience from spells with PSV Eindhoven, Feyenoord, and German side Schalke 04.

He takes over a squad built on the strategic recruitment of players born and raised in the Netherlands.

Five players have switched eligibility since August after previously representing the Dutch national team at youth level.

Advocaat leaves having previously guided the Netherlands to the 1994 World Cup quarter-finals and managed South Korea at the 2006 tournament.