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Published : 13 Jun 2026, 10:06 AM
The latest country to make its World Cup debut will also have the oldest coach ever in the tournament when Curacao plays traditional powerhouse Germany in a Group E match on Sunday in Houston.
At 78, Dutch-born Dick Advocaat will become the oldest on the bench and will end the musical chairs of record-holders already in the early stages of this World Cup.
In fact, the record was set twice Thursday, first by South Africa's 74-year-old Hugo Broos (born April 10, 1952) vs. Mexico. Later, Czech Republic coach Miroslav Koubek took the temporary title against South Korea. He is also 74 years old but was born on Sept. 1, 1951.
Rest assured, no other coach in the World Cup is older than Advocaat, who took over the Curacao program in January 2024 and coached them to 28 goals in 10 qualifying matches, the most among all CONCACAF teams.
He almost didn't make it to the World Cup. He stepped down in February to take care of his ailing daughter. But when his daughter's health improved and Curacao struggled in friendlies against China and Australia under interim coach Fred Rutten, Advocaat returned in May.
Curacao is the smallest country by population (about 156,000) 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," Advocaat said. "I'm proud of my players, staff and the board members who believed in us."
It will be a tough task playing the four-time World Cup champions.
"We are not the favorites, we know this when we start," Advocaat told The Guardian. "But people who aren't favorites can surprise. Today, you can even go on (to the next round) with two or three points."
The Germans are not one of the favorites in this World Cup, either, but have won nine matches in a row with an eye on regaining glory.
Since winning the 2014 World Cup, they have not gotten out of their group, with just two wins since the title run in Brazil. In Russia in 2018 they finished last in their group and four years later in Qatar they finished third.
"We are ready," Germany's 38-year-old coach Julian Nagelsmann said. "I don't know if it's my job to create euphoria ahead of the tournament. My job is to create the moments that lead to that joy."
Florian Wirtz figures to play a key playmaking role for Germany, though he is coming off a disappointing first Premier League season with Liverpool. Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich) and Leroy Sane (Galatasaray) lead Germany's attack. Captain Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich) typically plays right back for the national team, though he prefers to be in the midfield.
The Germans will have an eye on Gervane Kastaneer, who led Curacao during continental qualifying with five goals.
--Group E: Ivory Coast vs. Ecuador in Philadelphia. Ecuador have a collection of players who have been together for a while, led by midfielder Moises Caicedo, but little to show for it. Ivory Coast have never made it out of the group stage.
--Group F: Japan vs. Netherlands in Arlington, Texas: Netherlands defender Virgil van Dijk is coming off a disappointing English Premier League season for him and Liverpool. While Japan have moved past the group stage the past two World Cups, they have not won a knockout match.
--Group F: Sweden vs. Tunisia in Guadalupe, Mexico: Sweden feature Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres. Tunisia have not advanced from their group the past two World Cups but did win a match in each.
