Curacao’s World Cup debut: 158k inhabitants, 1 local player & the oldest coach

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 – Intro02:48 – The coach: Dick Advocaat’s age record05:40 – The players: Only Chong born in Curacao09:15 – Qualifying: VAR scare versus Jamaica12:05 – Group: Germany, Ivory Coast & Ecuador15:50 – Gustaf Lagerbielke: Sweden’s defensive baron17:42 – Gambia: DJ visits and lost football boots