AMSTERDAM – Dick Advocaat, head coach of the Curaçao national football team, has announced that he intends to stop coaching after the FIFA World Cup 2026. The 78-year-old made the statement in an interview with Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.
“You can write that I will stop as a coach after the World Cup, but with me you never know,” Advocaat said with a laugh. “Haha.”
Advocaat led Curaçao to historic qualification for the 2026 World Cup earlier this year, marking the island’s first-ever appearance at the tournament. Curaçao will be the smallest country by population ever to compete at a World Cup. For Advocaat, it will be his third time leading a team at football’s biggest stage.
Family considerations
Reflecting on his future, Advocaat acknowledged that age and family are playing an increasing role in his decision. “Who would still want me at this age?” he said. “My family also has a say, and they don’t really want to see me continue as a coach. I understand that, and I have more or less come to terms with the end of my career.”
According to Advocaat, it would be difficult to imagine a more fitting farewell than ending his coaching career at the World Cup. “For me, it hardly gets any better than that,” he said.
Door not completely closed
Despite his announcement, Advocaat left open the possibility that his retirement may not be final. It would not be the first time he has suggested stepping away from coaching only to return later. In 2014, during his time at AZ, he also indicated that it would be his last job, a statement he repeated on several occasions with other clubs and national teams.
Even now, Advocaat remains cautious about closing the door completely. “To shut the door entirely… you never know what might come along,” he said.
For Curaçao, the upcoming World Cup will not only be a historic sporting milestone, but potentially the final chapter in the long and storied coaching career of one of Dutch football’s most experienced managers.