WC Countdown: Oldest Dick makes history with World Cup debutants

Age is just a number, they say - well, Dick Advocaat made sure to prove it himself.

On June 14, when Curacao face off with Germany in Houston on their historic World Cup debut, the veteran tactician who already has two WC appearances (with the Netherlands in 1994, and South Korea in 2006) will officially become the oldest manager ever to coach at a World Cup.

Advocaat will be 78 years and 260 days old, surpassing Otto Rehhagel, who led Greece at the 2010 FIFA World Cup at 71 years and 317 days. Interestingly, Rehhagel will be leapfrogged by three coaches - Ghana's Carlos Queiroz, who was 69 days and 273 days old in November 2022 in the dugout of Iran at the Qatar WC, but also the current Czech Republic boss Miroslav Koubek, and South Africa's Hugo Broos.

On the other hand, Advocaat led Curacao, a small island in the Caribbean Sea, to their maiden World Cup after successfully qualifying in November 2025.

However, after Curacao became the smallest nation ever to reach the global showpiece, Advocaat announced he was stepping down to look after his daughter, who was facing health issues.

He was replaced by fellow Dutchman, Fred Rutten.

Alas, under Rutten, Curacao lost to China 2-0 and to Australia 5-1 in their March friendlies, and Rutten resigned.

At a press conference in May, the president of their football federation, Gilbert Martina, revealed that Advocaat, very popular with the players, was returning to lead the side because his daughter's health had improved.

In a statement, the Curacao football federation said: "Following the decision of head coach Fred Rutten to make his position available, the board of Federashon Futbol Korsou has decided, during meetings held last night, to appoint Dick Advocaat as head coach of the Curacao national team.

"Discussions between FFK and Dick Advocaat regarding the further details of this appointment are currently ongoing. FFK is handling this process with due care, in accordance with existing agreements and the principles of good governance, with the aim of ensuring stability, clarity, and continuity around the national team."

In his 46-year-long coaching career, Advocaat has been in charge of PSV, Feyenoord, Sunderland, and many other clubs, while also leading the Netherlands, Belgium, Serbia, South Korea, Russia, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, and, finally, Curacao.

The tiny underdogs will play in Group E, along with Germany, Ecuador and the Ivory Coast.

OLDEST MANAGERS AT A WORLD CUP

Dick Advocaat (Curacao), June 14, 2026 - 78y & 260d

Miroslav Koubek (Czechia), June 12, 2026 - 74y & 296d

Hugo Broos (South Africa), June 11, 2026 - 74y & 75d

Otto Rehhagel (Greece), June 22, 2010 - 71y & 317d

Oscar Tabarez (Uruguay), July 6, 2018 - 71y & 125d

Louis van Gaal (Netherlands), December 9, 2022 - 71y & 123d

Cesare Maldini (Paraguay), June 15, 2002 - 70y & 130d

Carlos Queiroz (Iran), November 29, 2022 - 69y & 273d