PREVIEW: Curaçao to write history as smallest ever World Cup nation | OneFootball

James McClair, Football reporter

Curaçao are gearing up for their World Cup finals debut, as the Blue Wave are set to become the smallest country ever to appear in the competition.

The Caribbean island located off the coast of Venezuela, which has a population of just 156,000, will become etched in the history books when they face Germany in Houston, breaking the previous record set by Iceland in 2018.

Curaçao manager Dick Advocaat will grab a personal slice of history, becoming the oldest coach at a World Cup at the age of 78.

The former Sunderland gaffer had stepped away from the national side in February due to personal reasons but he was reappointed last month following the nation’s poor start to life under successor Fred Rutten.

Advocaat oversaw the Blue Wave’s landmark qualification campaign in which they remained unbeaten across 10 CONCACAF matches, winning seven. His return is the latest show of defiance from an island which continually beats the odds.

Curaçao will be eager to leave their mark at the finals in a group that contains four-time champions Germany, fancied dark horses Ecuador and three-time AFCON winners Ivory Coast.

The expanded format of the competition will also provide belief they can cause a further upset in Group E.

Germany have twice flattered to deceive on the world stage since lifting the trophy in Brazil 12 years ago whilst Ivory Coast and Ecuador haven’t regularly qualified themselves, let alone made easy work of the group stage.

The possibility of progressing to the knockout stages as one of eight third-placed teams won’t be lost on Advocaat’s men, with a singular win perhaps enough to ensure their spot in the last 32.

Another advantage for qualifiers from the CONCACAF route is their familiarity with the climate, as humid conditions could prove tough for sides from other regions to contend with.

Despite their shortage of tournament experience, the country’s travelling party contains a plethora of players with pedigree in Europe’s top divisions.

Brothers Leandro and Juninho Bacuna have become key cogs in Advocaat’s side, with both tried and tested in the Premier League. The former will captain Curacao in North America and is already the leading appearance maker for the national team.

Former Manchester United prospect Tahith Chong, now on the books at Sheffield United, adds an unpredictability to their game whilst ex-Brighton forward Jurgen Locadia was once the club’s record signing.

The former Seagulls man looks set to miss their matches with Germany and Ecuador however, after being shown a straight red card in their pre-tournament defeat to Scotland.

Middlesbrough winger Sontje Hansen is yet to truly earn his stripes at the Riverside but could prove a pivotal source of inspiration for Curacao.

Given Curaçao remains part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, it’s no surprise there’s an equally strong contingent of players in the squad plying their trade in the Eredivisie.

Advocaat’s side kick off their tournament against Julian Nagelsmann’s Germany in Houston on Sunday 14th of June before clashing with Ecuador in Kansas City a week later.

They then head further up the East Coast to Philadelphia for their final group stage game, where they’ll take on the Ivory Coast on Thursday 25th of June.