The 2026 World Cup is just a month away, and Curaçao's national team is facing an unexpected shakeup. Manager Fred Rutten has stepped down, just weeks before the tournament kicks off, in a move the federation says was made to "protect stability" within the squad.
Rutten's resignation, announced on Monday, comes at a critical time. With the deadline to finalize World Cup rosters fast approaching, the Federashon Futbòl Kòrsou (FFK) is expected to name a replacement on Tuesday morning. Early reports suggest they may turn to a familiar face: Dick Advocaat, the very man who led Curaçao to their historic World Cup qualification before stepping down in November due to his daughter's health issues.
In a statement, the FFK explained that Rutten made the difficult decision after "constructive discussions" with federation leadership. While Rutten himself was not the target of any concerns, he chose to resign to ensure a positive atmosphere within the team and staff. "There must not be a climate that harms healthy professional relationships," Rutten said. "That is why stepping down is the right decision. Time is pressing and Curaçao must move forward."
The FFK praised Rutten's professionalism and commitment, noting he put the team's interests above his own during this crucial period. It's a bittersweet turn of events, especially considering how Rutten originally helped bring Advocaat to the role back in 2023.
FFK president Gilbert Martina recalled the moment in an interview with CBS Sports in March. "In June 2023, I met with Rutten, and he came back after two weeks and said, 'I discussed it with the queen at home and my daughter, and they said dad not yet, you're not healthy.' He then advised me, 'If I can recommend one name, it's Dick Advocaat.'"
The rest, as they say, is history. Under Advocaat's guidance, Curaçao became the smallest nation ever to qualify for the World Cup, with a population of just 158,000. Their success has been fueled by a dual-national recruitment strategy, a door first opened by Patrick Kluivert during his tenure as manager. Now, as the island nation prepares for its biggest stage yet, all eyes are on who will lead them into battle.