WILLEMSTAD – For assistant coach Giovanni Franken, Curaçao’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is more than a football achievement. It is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream that once seemed out of reach.
Franken, who joined Dick Advocaat’s technical staff in 2024, will now travel with Curaçao to the country’s first-ever World Cup appearance — a moment he describes as both emotional and surreal.
The Curaçao-born coach said the opportunity to stand beside one of the Netherlands’ most respected football managers on the world’s biggest stage remains difficult to fully comprehend.
Franken and national team coach Dick Advocaat have built a close professional relationship over the years. After working together previously at ADO Den Haag, Advocaat brought Franken into Curaçao’s coaching staff during his earlier spell with the national team.
Their collaboration was later interrupted when Franken accepted a coaching opportunity in China, where he enjoyed a successful season and even received recognition in nominations for coach of the year.
Despite his move abroad, Advocaat reportedly continued following Franken’s progress closely. When the veteran Dutch coach returned to lead Curaçao into the World Cup campaign, Franken quickly became part of the rebuilt technical staff.
According to Franken, the achievement carries special significance because he once dreamed of reaching the World Cup as a player for Curaçao, something that never materialized during his playing career.
Now, years later, he will experience the tournament from the sidelines as part of the coaching team guiding the island onto football’s biggest platform for the first time in history.
Franken emphasized that Curaçao’s qualification is not the result of overnight success, but of years of development behind the scenes.
He compared the process to the long preparation required before becoming a doctor, saying the public often sees only the final moment of success while overlooking the years of work, planning and sacrifice that came before it.
Within the coaching staff, Franken will focus heavily on training sessions, tactical analysis and maintaining close communication with players. He also sees an important role for himself in preserving the Curaçao identity within the squad.
According to Franken, bringing “Curaçao culture” into the daily atmosphere of the national team is just as important as technical preparation.
Although Curaçao enters the tournament as an underdog, Franken insists the team is not traveling simply to participate.
The assistant coach admitted he already imagines the opening World Cup match against Germany national football team on June 14 — from the stadium atmosphere and national anthems to the moment the referee blows the opening whistle.
He described the thought of Curaçao walking onto the field against one of world football’s traditional giants as something that gives him “goosebumps.”
Still, beyond the emotions and historic significance, Franken says Curaçao intends to compete seriously at the tournament and fight for points on the global stage.
Photo credit: AD.nl