WILLEMSTAD – Head coach Dick Advocaat has made it clear that Curaçao will not travel to the FIFA World Cup 2026 merely to make up the numbers. After guiding the island to a historic qualification for the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada, Advocaat says he is not intimidated by group opponent Germany national football team.
Curaçao has been drawn into a challenging group that also includes Ecuador and Ivory Coast. Speaking to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, Advocaat dismissed the idea that Curaçao would play a passive role at the World Cup.
“Let everyone think that Curaçao won’t play any role at the World Cup with Germany, Ecuador and Ivory Coast as opponents,” Advocaat said. “We are going to sting at the World Cup.”
According to the veteran coach, Curaçao will rely on tactical discipline rather than constant attacking play. “We won’t play very offensively, but we will wait for the right moment to strike,” he explained. “Whoever the opponent is, we are hard to beat. Everyone gives everything for a good result, and we really do have a decent team. Yes, even Germany we can make it difficult for.”
Advocaat noted that while Curaçao normally plays in a 4-3-3 formation, flexibility could be key at the tournament. “Maybe in other formations we can be even harder to beat,” he said. “No, I am not afraid of Germany. I know what we can expect and I am actually looking forward to that match.”
The coach added that Curaçao’s technical staff will also closely analyze Ecuador and Ivory Coast in preparation for the group stage.
Curaçao’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup already marked a historic milestone, making the island the smallest country by population ever to reach football’s biggest stage. Advocaat’s confident tone suggests that the team is aiming to go even further by challenging some of the world’s most established football nations.