WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao national team coach Dick Advocaat has begun a new chapter with the Blue Wave following the country’s historic FIFA World Cup appearance, with qualification for the 2027 Concacaf Gold Cup now the main objective.
The 78-year-old Dutch coach recently extended his contract with Curaçao after leading the island to its first-ever World Cup. Curaçao made history as the smallest country ever to participate in the tournament.
Although the Blue Wave was eliminated in the group stage, the team secured a historic point with a 0-0 draw against Ecuador.
Advocaat believes Curaçao’s World Cup performance has changed how international opponents view the team.
“Because of the World Cup, more countries now take us into account,” Advocaat said during a press conference Monday. “We are very happy that we can start again.”
Attention now shifts to the Concacaf Nations League, where Curaçao needs strong results as it pursues qualification for the 2027 Gold Cup, which will be played in Mexico.
Advocaat warned against assuming qualification will come easily simply because Curaçao has now competed at a World Cup.
“Everyone thinks it is easy now, but it is not easy at all,” the coach said.
Curaçao will begin its Nations League campaign against Costa Rica on Friday, marking the national team’s first match since the World Cup.
The Blue Wave will subsequently face Nicaragua on September 28 before playing Trinidad and Tobago twice, on October 2 and October 5.
Sontje Hansen Steps Away From National Team
One notable absence from Advocaat’s Nations League squad is Sontje Hansen.
The former Ajax and NEC player has decided that he does not want to represent Curaçao internationally as long as Advocaat remains national coach.
Hansen started Curaçao’s opening World Cup match but was substituted at halftime and did not feature again during the tournament.
Advocaat told NOS that he has no problem with Hansen’s decision.
“It is his decision, so I don't have much difficulty with it,” Advocaat said. “He probably thought he should have played more, but then he should have done better.”
For now, Advocaat’s attention remains firmly on qualifying Curaçao for another major international tournament.
His current contract runs through August 1, 2027, and the intention is for him to step down after the Gold Cup.
Advocaat has also indicated that he would eventually like to see a Curaçao-born coach take charge of the national team.
“It would be a good thing if someone from the island eventually takes over,” Advocaat said. “But for now, the first objective is to qualify for the Gold Cup.”