Dick Advocaat, 78, becomes the oldest coach in World Cup history after Curacao’s dramatic draw with Jamaica secures their first-ever finals appearance.

At the age of 78, Dick Advocaat is set to make history as the oldest coach at a World Cup after his team, Curacao, qualified for the tournament with a dramatic draw against Jamaica. This tiny island nation, with a population of just 150,000, is the smallest country to ever qualify for football’s premier showcase.

Advocaat, a seasoned coach with experience leading seven national teams, including his native Netherlands, has achieved his greatest feat yet with Curacao. He took charge of the team in January 2024 and had to watch their historic qualification from afar, having left the squad for family reasons.

“It was a very difficult decision to leave the boys here,” Advocaat said in a statement. “I had to make this decision with a heavy heart, but family is more important than football. From the Netherlands, I will stay in close contact with the staff, and I have complete confidence in this group of players.”

Curacao’s journey to the World Cup was nothing short of a fairytale. Jamaica, who needed a win to qualify, hit the woodwork three times in the second half. The drama continued in added time, with a penalty appeal overturned by VAR, securing Curacao’s place in the tournament.

Advocaat’s achievement breaks the record previously held by German Otto Rehhagel, who was 71 years and 317 days old when he managed Greece at the 2010 World Cup.