WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao national team coach Dick Advocaat says his squad is ready for Saturday’s farewell match against Aruba as preparations intensify for the island’s historic participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking during a press conference on Thursday, the 78-year-old Dutch coach said he hopes to see Curaçao return to winning ways before departing for the tournament.
“It’s time for us to win again. We’re ready,” Advocaat told reporters ahead of the match in Willemstad.
The Blue Wave has not recorded a victory since November. Earlier this year, Curaçao suffered defeats against Australia (5-1) and China (2-0), before falling 4-1 to Scotland in a friendly match last Saturday in Glasgow.
Despite the result, Advocaat said he was encouraged by his team's performance for much of the match.
“I thought we played very well in the first half,” he said. “That changed after the red card. We are not the Dutch national team. When we go down to ten men, it becomes very difficult, and that’s exactly what happened.”
The sending-off of striker Jürgen Locadia remains a major talking point, with Curaçao still awaiting FIFA's decision on whether the forward will face a suspension that could rule him out of the World Cup opener against Germany.
Warm Return to Curaçao
The Scotland match also marked Advocaat’s first game back in charge of the national team following his much-publicized departure earlier this year.
In February, Advocaat stepped down as Curaçao’s coach after his daughter became seriously ill. Former Dutch international Fred Rutten was appointed as his successor, but later departed after players and key sponsors launched a campaign urging Advocaat to return.
The veteran coach resumed his role for the Scotland friendly and said he was delighted to be back on the island.
“Everyone is so positive here,” Advocaat said. “Not everyone has an easy life privately, but they are incredibly proud of us. That is wonderful to see.”
World Cup Challenge Ahead
Curaçao will make its historic FIFA World Cup debut in ten days when it faces Germany in its opening group-stage match.
The team will then take on Ecuador and Ivory Coast in what many observers consider one of the tournament’s most challenging groups.
Despite the difficult opposition, Advocaat remains optimistic about his team’s chances.
“By qualifying, we already achieved what many thought was impossible,” he said. “We can make life difficult for anyone, even in a tough World Cup group.”
The coach said his players have already proven their ability by securing qualification and believes they are capable of competing against stronger football nations.
“Our goal is to advance to the next round,” Advocaat said.
As excitement continues to build across Curaçao ahead of the country’s first-ever World Cup appearance, Saturday’s farewell match against Aruba is expected to attract a large crowd of supporters eager to send the national team off in style before it departs for the United States to complete its final preparations.