08/06/2026

SPORTS MONDAY | JUNE 8, 2026

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2026 WORLD CUP

Curacao’s Dutch connection should not be underestimated

Caicedo, Pacho lead Ecuador squad

CURACAO will be the smallest country to compete at the World Cup but all their squad hail from the Netherlands, whose national team have a proud history at the tournament, meaning they must not be underestimated. Of the 26 players selected for the Caribbean island’s debut finals appearance, only one was born on the island, but Tahith Chong left at the age of 10 for the Netherlands, where the other 25 were born. Curacao is a self-governing part of the Netherlands, with a population of just over 150,000 and a land area of 442.89sq km. All their players are Dutch nationals and it was in northern Europe rather than the Caribbean that their historic qualification was forged. Much of the credit lies with veteran coach Dick Advocaat, who initially turned down the job because the football association on the island was grappling with an administrative crisis and under the scrutiny of the world football governing

CHELSEA midfielder Moises Caicedo and newly crowned Champions League winner Willian Pacho of Paris Saint-Germain will spearhead Ecuador’s challenge at the World Cup. Piero Hincapie, who was part of the losing Arsenal squad in the European showpiece in Budapest, was also named in the squad for the finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Enner Valencia, 36, will feature in his third World Cup finals. Ecuador are in Group E and play their first match against Ivory Coast in Philadelphia on June 15 (7am Malaysian time) before facing debutants Curacao on June 21 (8am) in Kansas City and Germany on June 26 (4am) in New Jersey. They will aim to reach the knockout stage after being eliminated in the group phase at the 2022 finals in Qatar. Dusty pitches tucked amid poverty and childhood dreams of wearing Ecuador’s jersey shaped the early steps of several national team players who will now fulfil

dangerous neighbourhood in the southern city of Machala. “I’m a kid from the streets of Ecuador who basically had to cling to soccer to help my family move forward,” he told ESPN . Ordonez, 22, lived in a suburb of Guayaquil. He now plays for Club Brugge, and media reports have linked him with a post-World Cup move to Juventus. His family made sacrifices so that he could swap improvised street pitches for a training centre an hour away. The most emblematic rise, however, is that of Chelsea midfielder Caicedo, 24, who will play at his second World Cup after starting out on a humble pitch known as El Hueco in Santo Domingo. “Moises was among the kids who always had their goals very clear,” said Galo Rodriguez, a former youth coach of Caicedo at Independiente del Valle who also managed Paris St-Germain defender Pacho and Hincapie. “The kids who succeeded were those who always thought big, were very disciplined and worked for it,” Rodriguez told Reuters . The dreams of Pacho and Sunderland forward Angulo were forged in Quininde, near the Colombian border, where football represents a path out of poverty. “It’s a dream. I’m achieving things I once saw in other players,” said Pacho, who wears No. 51 in tribute to his mother, who died on the day he made his professional debut. Playing in their fifth World Cup, Ecuador hope to surpass their last-16 finish at Germany 2006.

body Fifa. He eventually took up the post in January 2024 and began recruiting Dutch players with roots on the island, vastly strengthening their prospects. Advocaat, who quit the job in February because of his daughter’s illness and handed the reins to Fred Rutten only to be reappointed in May, had to adjust his own approach, polished through three spells as Netherlands coach plus taking South Korea to the 2006 World Cup. The 63-year-old Rutten was Advocaat designated successor but after two matches in charge in March, where they lost 2-0 to China and 5-1 to Australia, moves to get Advocaat back developed quickly amid claims of player discontent and a statement seeking Advocaat’s return issued by the federation’s leading sponsor, a tourism company. At first, Curacao federation president Gilbert Martina refused to entertain any change in a hard-hitting statement of support for Rutten but the Dutch-born coach saw the writing on the wall and quit. Martina denied there had been a player putsch. “After it became known that Advocaat’s daughter was better, a very

their ambition of representing their country. Caicedo, Joel Ordonez and Nilson Angulo are some of the players sharing similar back stories marked by

negative campaign was launched in the press in which Rutten was cast in a bad light,” he told the press conference. But the players have denied those negative statements. Martina said Rutten had called to say he felt it was

hardship and perseverance.

Caicedo, 28, grew

best to step down. “A climate must not arise that undermines healthy professional relations, within both the squad and the staff. That is why it is wise to step down,“ Rutten said later

up in a marginal and

Coach Sebastian Beccacece has credited the players’ humility and family support for their historic second-place finish in South American qualifying, behind world champions Argentina. “Reaching this level reflects remarkable strength of spirit,” said the 45-year-old Argentine. Ecuador reached the 2024 Copa America

in a written statement. Martina then called Advocaat after which an agreement was reached

quarterfinals but were eliminated by eventual winners Argentina in a penalty shootout.

regarding his

return. It will be Advocaat’s third World Cup finals. He

previously led the Netherlands at the 1994 World Cup, also in the US, and South Korea in 2006 in Germany. At 78, he easily beats the record of the previous oldest coach, German Otto Rehhagel, who was 71 years and 317 days old when he led Greece against Argentina in their last group game at the 2010 finals in South Africa. Although initially irked by the players dancing and singing before games, Advocaat realised that he should not take the Caribbean soul out of the

Moises

Caicedo

A dramatic goalless draw away in Jamaica last November secured top place in their group and qualification, with a team that will pose problems for Group E opponents Ecuador, Germany, and the Ivory Coast. But Advocaat is also realistic about their prospects. “We have proven that we are difficult to beat,” he said. “But the opponents in this group are of a different quality, of course. We know it will be very difficult, but nothing is impossible.”

squad, telling reporters he thought this was the best way for his players to achieve top performance. “We started building, but by first going back to the basics,” explained Advocaat. “We never had anything to complain about regarding the passion and commitment of those guys. “But we had to provide a foundation, to establish organisation. It was pleasing to see that this was quickly picked up and yielded results.”

Tahith Chong