Curacao’s World Cup debut: 158k inhabitants, 1 local player & the oldest coach
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Curacao’s World Cup debut: 158k inhabitants, 1 local player & the oldest coach
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Debutants Curacao are about to break an all-time World Cup record.
Spearheaded by veteran coach Dick Advocaat – soon to be the oldest coach in the tournament’s history – the Caribbean island are the smallest-ever nation to make an appearance at the finals with a population of only 160,000.
So what should you know about the brilliantly nicknamed Blue Wave before they make their bow on the global stage this month?
In the second episode of our four-part series on the 2026 World Cup debutants, we’re focusing on Curacao –a non-independent country that is part of the Netherlands and has as many Europe-born players as first opponents Germany.
Plus, Graham Potter calls up a member of the Swedish nobility in defence and Iran’s final friendly opponents Gambia lose their football boots.
Chapters:
00:00 – Intro
02:48 – The coach: Dick Advocaat’s age record
05:40 – The players: Only Chong born in Curacao
09:15 – Qualifying: VAR scare versus Jamaica
12:05 – Group: Germany, Ivory Coast & Ecuador
15:50 – Gustaf Lagerbielke: Sweden’s defensive baron
17:42 – Gambia: DJ visits and lost football boots