*This content was translated by AI.
The head coach of the Curaçao national football team, which is set to make its historic debut at a World Cup finals through the 2026 FIFA North, Central America and Caribbean (CONCACAF) World Cup, has become vacant. This comes just one month before the tournament kicks off.
The Curaçao Football Association officially announced on the 12th (Korean time) via its official channels that Fred Rutten (64, Netherlands) has resigned as head coach.
The Curaçao Football Association stated, "Considering the stability of Curaçao football, the players, and the internal environment of the national team as the most important factors, and after having constructive discussions with Coach Rutten, he chose to resign voluntarily."
Previously, Curaçao entered the World Cup CONCACAF qualifiers under the leadership of Dick Advocaat (79, Netherlands), who took charge in January 2024, and for the first time in history, qualified for the World Cup finals. Curaçao is the country with the smallest population of 150,000 among all nations to have ever reached the World Cup finals. Its FIFA ranking is 82nd.
However, after leading Curaçao to its first-ever World Cup finals appearance, Coach Advocaat stepped down from his position in February to care for his daughter, and Coach Rutten took over the helm. Under Coach Rutten, however, Curaçao suffered a heavy 0-2 defeat to China and a crushing 1-5 loss to Australia in March friendly matches, significantly dampening the mood ahead of the World Cup.
Following this, local criticism of Coach Rutten intensified, and local reports emerged indicating that the squad also desired the return of Coach Advocaat. With reports that Advocaat's daughter, who was previously known to be in poor health, has now improved, the possibility of Advocaat's return has gained weight.
Initially, Hilbert Martina of the Curaçao Football Association dismissed rumors of Advocaat's return, stating, "Coach Rutten will lead the team to the World Cup," but with Coach Rutten's resignation officially confirmed just three days later, the team now faces the situation of needing to find a new head coach just one month before the World Cup.
Coach Advocaat previously led the South Korean national team during the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. At that time, Hong Myung-bo was the coach, who is now the head coach of the South Korean national football team. Curaçao has been drawn into Group E of the World Cup alongside Germany, Ecuador, and Côte d'Ivoire.
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*This content was translated by AI.
