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Veteran Dutch coach Dick Advocaat has returned as head coach of the Curacao national football team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Curacao Football Federation announced on Wednesday.
The federation confirmed that Advocaat was appointed after former coach Fred Rutten stepped down from the role on May 11. Discussions over the details of Advocaat’s contract were still ongoing, according to the statement.
At 78, Advocaat is set to become the oldest coach to manage a team in World Cup history.
Taking the helm in January 2024, the Dutch coach led Curacao through the CONCACAF qualifiers, with the team finishing unbeaten at the top of Group B.
He had previously left the position in February because of his daughter’s health problems. After his departure, Curacao players pressured the federation to bring their coach back to guide the team in the nation’s World Cup debut.
Curacao, with a population of around 150,000, is expected to be among the smallest countries ever to compete in the tournament.
The Caribbean nation will play in Group E at the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside the German national football team, the Ecuadorian national football team and the Ivorian national football team.
Advocaat previously coached the Netherlands national football team at the 1994 World Cup and the South Korea national football team during the 2006 tournament.
He also oversaw Turkish club Fenerbahce during the 2016-17 season.
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