Advocaat: Curacao Can Surprise Germany in World Cup Opener

Advocaat backs World Cup upset vs Germany

Curacao coach Dick Advocaat says “anyone can surprise” as his team face Germany in Houston. Group E underdogs also take on Ivory Coast and Ecuador at 2026 World Cup.

Dick Advocaat is back in charge of Curacao after player/sponsor pressure and eyes upset vs Germany June 14. Caribbean minnows are debutants in the USA-Mexico-Canada World Cup...

Curacao coach Dick Advocaat thinks the World Cup debutants can stun Germany in their tournament opener.

“It’s something special for us to be there. Playing against players you see on TV, who play in the top leagues. Anyone can surprise. Why not Curacao? That’s what we’ll try to do,” the 78-year-old said on Thursday during the training camp in Noordwijk, the Netherlands.

Advocaat is back in charge of Curaçao after Fred Rutten quit just three months into the job. Rutten had originally replaced Advocaat, who stepped away to care for his ill daughter. Reports say sponsor Corendon and the players pushed for Advocaat’s return, which has put his comeback under a cloud of controversy.

“It’s been a difficult few weeks. A lot has happened,” Advocaat said. The Curaçao Football Federation, FFK, stated he was only reached out to after Rutten left.

“Things could have turned out differently. I haven’t been in touch with Rutten. Just for an hour when I handed over the reins. I didn’t hesitate to return. I can’t think of a reason why I would.”

Now that he’s back in charge, the Dutchman is eager to get going after experiencing what it feels like to lead the smallest country ever to reach the World Cup.

Curacao open their World Cup campaign on June 14 against Germany in Houston. The tournament is being hosted across the USA, Mexico, and Canada. Drawn in Group E with Ivory Coast and Ecuador, the Caribbean side are viewed as heavy underdogs.

“Reaching the next round is our goal,” he said.

“It’s unprecedented for Curaçao. There’s a huge buzz about it. The joy of those people is so beautiful. We in the Netherlands could take a leaf out of their book. We’re looking forward to it.”