One point. That’s all Curaçao needs to make football history. On Tuesday, November 19, 2025, the tiny Caribbean island—population 156,115, land area just 444 km²—will face Jamaica in Kingston, chasing a draw that would send them to the FIFA World Cup finals for the first time ever. If they succeed, they’ll become the smallest nation in history to qualify, dwarfing even Iceland’s 376,000 residents. And yet, the man who got them here won’t be on the touchline.
The Man Who Almost Didn’t Show Up
Dick Advocaat, 78, has coached more national teams than most managers have had hot dinners: the Netherlands, Russia, South Korea, Belgium, Iraq. He even managed Sunderland AFC in 2015. But this? This is different. He didn’t come to Curaçao for glory. He came because he believed in the players, the passion, the sheer impossibility of it all. And now, with victory within reach, he’s vanished—not by choice, but by circumstance. The Curaçao Football Federation (FFK) confirmed he left the team’s Jamaica training camp due to "private circumstances." No details. No speculation. Just respect."We respect the decision of the head coach," said Gilbert Martina, FFK President. "The entire federation fully supports him." That’s not empty rhetoric. Advocaat’s absence doesn’t mean absence of control. Assistant coaches Dean Gorré and Cor Pot are running daily operations, but Advocaat remains in constant contact—tactical tweaks, lineup decisions, even halftime adjustments are still his call. It’s like a chess grandmaster playing blindfolded from another continent.
How a Tiny Island Got So Close
It wasn’t luck. It was a 7-0 thrashing of Bermuda on November 14, 2025. Jordi Paulina, a 23-year-old striker from Borussia Dortmund, scored twice. Sontje Hansen of Middlesbrough FC added another. The scoreline wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. Curaçao now leads Concacaf Group B with 11 points from five games. Jamaica sits second with 10. A draw in Kingston? History.What’s wild? These aren’t amateurs. The squad is dotted with Premier League and Championship veterans. Juninho Bacuna (Rangers, Birmingham City), Leandro Bacuna (ex-Aston Villa), and Tahith Chong (Sheffield United, ex-Man United academy) all have top-flight experience. They’re not just scrappers—they’re professionals who’ve played under pressure. And they’ve got something rare: unity. A team built on pride, not paychecks.
A Legacy in the Making
Advocaat’s career is the stuff of legend. Two stints with the Dutch national team. A World Cup campaign with South Korea in 2002. A brief, turbulent spell at Sunderland. But this? This might be his greatest achievement—not because he’s won trophies, but because he’s made the impossible feel inevitable. When Sunderland AFC posted on Instagram on November 18, 2025, celebrating his "history-making achievement," the comments poured in. "Swear he was retiring to spend more time with the wife like 10 years ago 😂" one fan wrote. Another: "He started his second youth at 78!"There’s something poetic about it. A man who’s spent decades chasing glory in the biggest stadiums, now guiding a team from an island so small it doesn’t even show up on some world maps. And he’s doing it while navigating personal storms most of us will never understand. That’s not just coaching. That’s leadership.
What Happens If They Qualify?
If Curaçao beats Jamaica—or even draws—they’ll join the 32-team FIFA World Cup in 2026. The implications ripple far beyond the pitch. Tourism? It’ll explode. Youth football? It’ll become a national obsession. The Dutch Caribbean’s identity, long overshadowed by its larger neighbors, could be redefined on the world’s biggest stage. And for a country that gained autonomy from the Netherlands in 2010, this isn’t just a sporting milestone—it’s a cultural awakening.Even if they don’t qualify, the journey has already changed everything. Kids on Curaçao now dream of playing in World Cup stadiums, not just local fields. And that’s the real victory.
What’s Next?
All eyes are on Kingston on November 19, 2025. The match kicks off at 8:00 PM local time. Advocaat won’t be there in person, but his fingerprints are all over the team. Gorré and Pot will lead from the sidelines, but the game plan? That’s still his. And if Curaçao pulls off the draw? Expect fireworks—not just in Jamaica, but across the entire Dutch Caribbean.Frequently Asked Questions
How is Curaçao smaller than Iceland, and why does that matter?
Curaçao has a population of just 156,115 and a land area of 444 km², while Iceland has 376,000 people and over 100,000 km² of land. If Curaçao qualifies, they’ll be the smallest nation by both population and size to ever reach a World Cup finals, surpassing Iceland’s 2018 record. It’s not just a statistical oddity—it’s a symbol of how football can transcend geography.
Why is Dick Advocaat missing the match if it’s so important?
The Curaçao Football Federation cited "private circumstances" without elaboration, emphasizing full support for Advocaat’s decision. He remains involved in tactical decisions remotely, but chose to step away physically. His long career and personal discretion suggest this isn’t a coaching dispute—it’s a deeply personal matter, likely health or family-related, that the team honors.
Who are the key players Curaçao is relying on?
Midfielder Juninho Bacuna and Leandro Bacuna bring Premier League experience, while striker Jordi Paulina (Borussia Dortmund) and Sontje Hansen (Middlesbrough) have proven scoring ability. Tahith Chong adds creativity from the wing. These aren’t fringe players—they’re professionals who’ve competed at elite levels, giving Curaçao a rare blend of grit and polish.
What’s the historical significance of this qualification?
Curaçao has never qualified for a World Cup. Even as part of the Netherlands Antilles, they never made it. A win would be their first-ever appearance, making them the smallest nation ever to reach the tournament. It would also be the first World Cup appearance for any Dutch Caribbean territory since the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles in 2010, turning a small island into a global football story.
How is the team managing without Advocaat on the sideline?
Assistant coaches Dean Gorré and Cor Pot are handling day-to-day operations, but Advocaat remains deeply involved via video calls and tactical briefings. The team has trained under this system since his departure, and players say the structure hasn’t changed. It’s a testament to the system he built—so strong, it doesn’t need his physical presence to function.
What happens if Curaçao doesn’t qualify?
Even in defeat, the impact will endure. The team’s performance has already inspired youth programs across the island, and international scouts are watching. The federation plans to use the momentum to secure long-term funding and infrastructure. Qualification isn’t the only win—raising the profile of Caribbean football on a global scale is already a triumph.