Article by Cosmin Nistor – Published on Sunday, 14 June 2026, 22:28 / Updated on Sunday, 14 June 2026 22:34
Dick Advocaat continues to write history in world football. Curacao's national team coach has officially become the oldest head coach to lead a team to a World Cup.
The Dutch coach was on the bench for the Caribbean team's 7-1 win over Germany in the 2026 World Cup Group E at the age of 78 years and 260 days, breaking a record that had stood for more than a decade.
He overtook Otto Rehhagel
Until the current edition of the final tournament, the record was held by Otto Rehhagel.
The legendary German coach was 71 years and 317 days old when he led Greece to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Advocaat's performance is all the more impressive as the gap to the previous record exceeds six years.
The record has been changed three times in the current edition
Interestingly, the record for the oldest World Cup coach changed hands several times even in the 2026 edition.
Belgium's Hugo Broos was the first to surpass Rehhagel's feat, leading South Africa at the age of 74 years and two months.
Shortly after, the Czech Miroslav Koubek took over the record, being present on the bench of his team at 74 years and nine months.
Finally, Dick Advocaat raised the bar to an unimaginable level, setting the new milestone at 78 years old.
Advocaat managed another outstanding performance in the current final tournament. The Dutchman is the only selector present at the 2026 World Cup who also coached at the 1994 World Cup, also organized in the United States.
32 years ago, he was leading the Dutch national team, and now he is on the bench of the Curacao representative.
