WILLEMSTAD – The Curaçao national football team will begin preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup later this month with a training camp in Noordwijk under the leadership of returning head coach Dick Advocaat.
The historic World Cup debutant will train from May 25 through June 2 at amateur football club S.J.C..
The training camp marks the first official preparation stage for Curaçao’s historic participation in a FIFA World Cup final tournament.
Earlier this week, the Federashon Futbòl Kòrsou (FFK) officially confirmed the return of the 78-year-old Advocaat as national team coach.
During the camp, Curaçao will play a friendly match against the Scotland national football team on May 30 in Glasgow.
Afterward, the squad will travel to Curaçao for a farewell match against the Aruba national football team on June 6.
Curaçao is scheduled to play its first-ever World Cup match on June 14 in Houston against the Germany national football team.
The Caribbean side will also face Ecuador national football team and the Ivory Coast national football team during the group stage.
The return of Advocaat follows weeks of public debate and pressure from players, supporters, and sponsors after concerns emerged about the team’s direction under previous coaching arrangements.
Advocaat is widely regarded on Curaçao as the architect behind the island’s historic qualification campaign and remains highly respected within the squad and among fans.