World Cup debutants Curacao will take on four-time champions Germany on Sunday, with veteran coach Dick Advocaat set to make history as the oldest manager ever to lead a team at the tournament.
At 78, the Dutchman will surpass the record set earlier this week by South Africa’s Hugo Broos and Czech Republic’s Miroslav Koubek, both aged 74.
Advocaat has transformed Curacao since taking charge in January 2024, guiding the Caribbean nation to qualification after scoring 28 goals in 10 matches — the highest tally among CONCACAF teams during qualifying.
The former Netherlands coach briefly stepped down in February to care for his ill daughter but returned in May after her health improved and Curacao struggled under interim management.
With a population of just 156,000, Curacao are the smallest nation ever to qualify for the World Cup.
“I consider qualifying the smallest country in the world for the World Cup one of the highlights of my career,” said Advocaat.
Despite facing one of football’s traditional powers, the veteran coach believes his side can cause an upset.
“We are not the favourites, but teams that are not favourites can surprise,” he said.
Germany enter the tournament on a nine-match winning streak as they look to end a difficult World Cup run that has seen them fail to progress beyond the group stage since lifting the trophy in 2014.
Coach Julian Nagelsmann believes his side are ready for the challenge, with Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala, Leroy Sane and captain Joshua Kimmich expected to play key roles.
Curacao will look to striker Gervane Kastaneer, who scored five goals during qualifying, as they attempt to produce one of the biggest shocks of the tournament.
