Curaçao's national football team has found itself in a challenging situation as their coach, Dick Advocaat, has stepped down from his position due to his daughter's health problems. Advocaat, a seasoned Dutch manager at the age of 78, was set to lead the team in their World Cup debut against Germany on June 14 in Houston. His resignation introduces uncertainty for the team as they prepare for this significant global event.

In a heartfelt statement shared by Curaçao's football federation, Advocaat emphasized that family must come before football, indicating the personal nature of his decision. He expressed deep affection for Curaçao and acknowledged that transitioning away from the role will be difficult. Advocaat also reflected on the historic achievement of guiding one of the smallest nations in football to the World Cup, which he considers one of the highlights of his coaching career.

The national federation has appointed Fred Rutten as the interim coach, who now faces the immense pressure of leading Curaçao in a critical period leading up to the World Cup. With time running short, Rutten will need to quickly implement his strategies and build team cohesion to make an impact at the tournament, especially against a formidable opponent like Germany.