Dutch coach Fred Rutten has announced his resignation as the national coach of Curacao, just one month before the German national team's first group match at the World Cup. According to the Curacao Football Association, this decision came after an open discussion with association president Gilbert Martina, in which player protests were addressed.
"There must not be a climate that affects healthy relationships," Rutten stated, explaining that he chose to resign despite not being the subject of the discussion. The association had initially supported him, but the situation led to a change of mind.
Rutten took over the coaching position in February from Dick Advocaat, who resigned for family reasons. Advocaat had led Curacao to its first World Cup appearance. Under Rutten, the team lost both matches, including a 0-2 defeat against China and a 1-5 loss in Australia.
Media reports suggest that Advocaat could now be reinstated as Curacao's coach. The World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, in the USA, Mexico, and Canada, marking the first tournament with 48 teams.
