Fred Rutten, the coach of the Curaçao team making its debut appearance at the FIFA World Cup 2026, has resigned from his position. The Curaçao Football Federation announced that following discussions between Rutten and the federation’s president, the decision was made to step down in order to maintain a disciplined and positive environment. Rutten prioritized the team’s interests over personal gains, and Dutch coach Dick Advocaat is currently being considered for the head coach role.
The Curaçao Football Federation (FFK) confirmed Rutten’s decision to relinquish his responsibilities. The federation stated that this move followed an open and constructive dialogue between Rutten and the federation’s president. The decision aims to uphold the welfare of football, the players, and maintain a peaceful atmosphere around the national team.
Fred Rutten commented, “There should be no environment that harms healthy professional relationships among players and technical staff. Therefore, stepping back is the right course of action.” Following Rutten’s departure, various reports suggest that Dutch coach Dick Advocaat is expected to lead the Curaçao team at the World Cup.
Curaçao is the smallest nation by population to qualify for the World Cup and will face Ghana, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia in the group stage.
