Curacao World Cup Qualification Sees Advocaat Step Down, Replaced By Fred Rutten

Dick Advocaat has left the Curacao national team shortly before Curacao’s first World Cup appearance. The former head coach cited personal reasons for stepping down after leading Curacao to the 2026 World Cup. Curacao officials have already chosen Fred Rutten to guide the team at the tournament.

Advocaat had missed Curacao’s final World Cup qualifier because of the same personal situation. The decision to resign comes months after that absence. Rutten now takes charge as Curacao prepare for a debut match against Germany in Houston on June 14, in a demanding Group E schedule.

Curacao secured a historic World Cup place last November with a 0-0 draw against Jamaica in their final qualifier. That result confirmed Curacao’s first appearance at FIFA’s main tournament. Curacao also became the smallest nation ever to reach the finals. Curacao will face Germany, Ecuador and Ivory Coast in Group E at the 2026 World Cup.

The Curacao national team marked Advocaat’s departure with a public message of gratitude on social media. The Curacao National Football Team account shared a graphic and short tribute post for the departing coach, underlining Advocaat’s part in the qualification journey.

Explaining the choice, Advocaat released a brief statement addressing the decision. "I've always said family is above football. So this is a self-evident decision," Advocaat said in a statement. "But, of course, that doesn't change the fact that I'm going to miss Curacao, the people there and my colleagues very much."

Curacao now move into World Cup preparation with a change in technical leadership but with qualification secured. Rutten inherits a squad that has already achieved a milestone for Curacao football. The focus turns to planning for Group E, while Advocaat’s role in this progress remains clear.