78-Year-Old Advocaat Becomes Oldest World Cup Coach as Curaçao Makes Historic Qualification

At 78 years old, Dick Advocaat didn’t just make history—he rewrote it. On November 18, 2025, the Dutch football legend became the oldest manager ever to guide a team to the FIFA World Cup2026 World Cup, even though he wasn’t on the sideline when it happened. His team, Curaçao, secured a 1-1 draw against Jamaica in Kingston, clinching their first-ever World Cup berth. Advocaat, born September 27, 1947, had already shattered the previous record held by Germany’s Otto Rehhagel (71 years, 317 days in 2010). But here’s the twist: he wasn’t even there to see it.

Family Over Football: The Decision That Shocked the Team

Advocaat had flown to Kingston in mid-November with his squad, but just hours before kickoff, he abruptly departed. The Curaçao Football Federation confirmed it was for "family reasons"—a private matter he wouldn’t elaborate on publicly. "It’s a very difficult decision to have to leave the boys here," Advocaat said in a statement released that same night. "I had to make this decision with a heavy heart, but family is more important than football. From the Netherlands, I will stay in close contact with the staff and I have complete confidence in this group of players." The team didn’t crumble. Instead, they rallied. Goalkeeper Eloy Room told Dutch NOS: "It’s bad news for us, but we understand that family is always a priority. But it has changed nothing for us and our goal." Captain Leandro Bacuna echoed it in Algemeen Dagblad: "We started this all together and now we want to finish it together. The coach doesn’t have to worry, we will give everything against Jamaica." One player put it bluntly: "This is a lot bigger. Then we were playing for a club, now it’s for our country. You cannot compare it. We are going to do it here for the country and for our coach Dick Advocaat."

A Nation of 150,000 Against the Odds

Curaçao, a self-governing island in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, has a population of just over 150,000. That’s smaller than many European cities. Yet, they became the smallest nation ever to qualify for the World Cup. Their journey was improbable: a 7-0 thrashing of Bermuda on November 14, 2025, followed by a gritty draw in Kingston that sealed Group B. Jamaica, playing at home, had everything to play for—but couldn’t break through.

The qualification wasn’t just a win. It was a cultural milestone. In Curaçao, football isn’t just sport—it’s identity. Streets emptied when the final whistle blew. Players fell to their knees. Coaches hugged. No one cared that Advocaat was thousands of miles away. They were celebrating for him, too.

The Legacy of a Man Who Never Stopped

Advocaat’s career reads like a football encyclopedia. He’s managed seven national teams, including three separate stints with the Netherlands national football team. In 1994, he led the Dutch to the World Cup quarter-finals in the United States. He holds the record for most wins as Netherlands manager (37), surpassing Bob Glendenning’s 77-year-old mark. At 72, he became the oldest coach in Eredivisie history while managing Feyenoord in 2020.

Now, at 78, he’s done the unthinkable: he’s taken a team with no professional league, no global star power, and turned them into World Cup participants. His influence stretched beyond tactics. He instilled belief. He made them see themselves as equals to Brazil, Germany, Argentina.

Even Ronald Koeman, the current Netherlands head coach, weighed in: "It’s a shame that Dick has to leave for family reasons. I don’t know what’s happening, but I hope he’s okay. What he’s done with Curaçao… it’s extraordinary."

What Comes Next? The Road to 2026

Advocaat will return to the team before the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The Curaçao Football Federation confirmed he remains their official manager. They’ll face a daunting draw—likely against powerhouses like the U.S., Mexico, or a European giant—but their spirit is unshakable.

The team’s next challenge? Building a professional training base. Most players are semi-pros from Europe’s lower leagues. They train in spurts, often on artificial pitches in the Netherlands. But now, they have something no other Curaçao side ever had: a World Cup ticket. And a legend who didn’t walk away.

Why This Matters

This isn’t just about a record. It’s about what football can be when you stop measuring success by budget or population. Advocaat didn’t win with money. He won with loyalty, grit, and the quiet understanding that leadership isn’t always about being present—it’s about being believed in.

For Curaçao, the World Cup isn’t a dream anymore. It’s a date on the calendar. And for Advocaat? At 78, he’s still coaching—not just a team, but an idea: that no one is too small, and no one is too old, to make history.