[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"football-site-config":3,"world-cup-status-en":27,"news-detail-dick-advocaat-78-returns-oldest-manager-at-world-cup-2026":61,"news-related-dick-advocaat-78-returns-oldest-manager-at-world-cup-2026-en":96,"news-related-match-dick-advocaat-78-returns-oldest-manager-at-world-cup-2026-en":218},{"adSlots":4,"affiliateMode":5,"brandName":6,"contentStrategy":7,"currency":8,"friendLinks":9,"homepageLayoutKey":10,"leagueFocus":11,"locale":12,"planVisibility":13,"seoDescription":14,"seoTitleTemplate":15,"siteCode":10,"siteName":6,"siteType":10,"subscriptionMode":5,"timezone":16,"id":17,"tenantID":18,"primaryDomain":19,"countryCode":20,"logoUrl":21,"faviconUrl":21,"theme":22,"seoKeywords":24,"status":25,"ads":4,"focusLeagues":26,"affiliatePolicies":26},[],"shared","Football Prediction Platform","scores_predictions","USD",[],"main",[],"en-US",[],"Football fixtures, results, free predictions, subscriptions, and clearly labeled partner links.","{page} | Football Prediction Platform","America\u002FNew_York",323900000000000000,1,"football.easytestdev.online","US","",{"primaryColor":23},"#1677ff","football predictions, football fixtures, football results","active",null,{"active":28,"leagueId":29,"leagueName":30,"leagueImagePath":31,"seasonId":32,"seasonName":33,"startingAt":34,"endingAt":35,"daysToStart":36,"daysToEnd":37,"phase":38,"includeQualifying":39,"hostCities":40},true,"326135624916537344","World Cup","https:\u002F\u002Fmedia.api-sports.io\u002Ffootball\u002Fleagues\u002F1.png","326255613308833792","2026\u002F2027","2026-06-11","2026-06-28",-37,-20,"finished_recent",false,[41,42,43,44,45,46,47,48,49,50,51,52,53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60],"Atlanta","Boston","Dallas","East Rutherford","Guadalajara","Houston","Kansas City","Los Angeles","Mexico City","Miami","Monterrey","New-York","New York New Jersey","Philadelphia","San-Francisco","San Francisco Bay Area","Seattle","Toronto","Vancouver","Zapopan",{"article":62},{"awayTeamId":63,"awayTeamName":64,"body":65,"category":66,"excerpt":67,"homeTeamId":68,"homeTeamName":69,"id":70,"leagueId":29,"leagueName":30,"matchId":71,"matchName":72,"publishedAt":73,"slug":74,"sourceName":75,"sourceURL":76,"teamId":77,"teamName":78,"teamIds":79,"teamNames":87,"title":95},"326257563425312768","Feyenoord","Dick Advocaat has made a sensational return to the Curaçao national team, putting him on course to become the oldest manager in the history of the FIFA World Cup. The 78-year-old Dutchman is back in the dugout just months after stepping down, with the Caribbean island set to make its first ever appearance at the tournament in 2026. The announcement was confirmed by Gilbert Martina, president of the Curaçao Football Federation (FFK), who shared the news via a phone message, signaling a rapid resolution to the team’s coaching crisis.\n\nAdvocaat originally took charge of Curaçao during the World Cup qualification campaign and achieved the unthinkable by guiding the tiny nation to the finals. With a population of just over 150,000, Curaçao became one of the smallest countries to ever qualify for football’s biggest stage. The achievement was built on a blend of experienced European-based professionals with Curaçaoan roots and a resilient tactical setup masterminded by the seasoned coach. However, the celebrations were short-lived. In February 2026, only three months after securing qualification, Advocaat tendered his resignation.\n\nThe reason was deeply personal. Reports at the time indicated that his daughter was facing serious health challenges, and the coach felt unable to commit to the demands of international management. The FFK reluctantly accepted his decision, and the search for a successor began with the World Cup looming on the horizon. The federation turned to another Dutchman, Fred Rutten, a well-respected figure who had previously worked with clubs like Schalke and PSV, to steady the ship.\n\nRutten’s tenure, however, proved to be alarmingly brief and turbulent. In March, Curaçao played two high-profile friendly matches as part of their World Cup preparations. The results were sobering: a 5-1 demolition by Australia and a 2-0 defeat to China. While both opponents were also qualified for the 2026 tournament, the manner of the losses raised serious questions about the team’s readiness. The defense looked disjointed, the midfield lacked control, and the attacking spark that had characterized their qualification run was absent.\n\nOn Monday, the FFK announced that Rutten had stepped down following what they described as “constructive discussions” among federation officials. The statement suggested a mutual agreement that a change was needed to give the team the best possible chance in the expanded 48-nation tournament. With the World Cup kick-off rapidly approaching, the pressure was on to find a solution that could restore belief and structure.\n\nIn a twist that seemed almost scripted, the solution was a familiar face. Just as Rutten departed, news emerged that Advocaat was ready to return. Crucially, the personal circumstances that had forced his exit had improved. Dutch media outlets reported that his daughter’s health had stabilized, allowing the veteran coach to reconsider his position. The prospect of leading a nation at its maiden World Cup, and the chance to make history as the oldest manager ever to do so, proved irresistible.\n\nA representative for Advocaat, while not giving a formal statement, indicated that the coach’s passion for the job had never waned and that he remained committed to the project he had started. The FFK moved swiftly to reappoint him, with Martina’s message confirming the return and expressing confidence that Advocaat’s experience would be invaluable. The federation is acutely aware that stability is paramount as they navigate the final months of preparation.\n\nThe return of Advocaat carries enormous symbolic and practical weight. At 78, he will eclipse the previous record for the oldest World Cup manager, a title currently held by the likes of Otto Rehhagel and Cesare Maldini, who were in their early 70s during their tournaments. More important is the tactical continuity he brings. The squad knows his methods, and his direct, no-nonsense approach has historically galvanized teams. His presence is expected to shore up the defensive vulnerabilities exposed in the friendlies and reintegrate the core players who thrived under his guidance.\n\nFor Curaçao, simply being in the World Cup is a triumph, but the ambition is to compete with dignity. The expansion to 48 teams has opened the door for smaller nations, and the island’s footballing story is intertwined with the Dutch connection—many of the players were born or developed in the Netherlands. Advocaat, a Dutch footballing icon who has managed the Netherlands national team, PSV, and Zenit St. Petersburg, among others, straddles both worlds perfectly. His credibility and network can help maximize the potential of this unique squad.\n\nLooking ahead, the immediate priority is to arrange more friendlies and perhaps a training camp to rebuild cohesion. The psychological boost of having the man who engineered qualification back on the touchline cannot be overstated. Players who may have felt unsettled by the coaching change will likely draw strength from the return of a figure they trust. However, Advocaat faces a daunting task. The World Cup group stage will pit Curaçao against some of the globe’s elite, and the margin for error is razor-thin. His first challenge will be to reignite the belief that anything is possible.\n\nAs the countdown to the 2026 World Cup continues, the Advocaat saga has added a compelling subplot to the tournament’s narrative. It is a story of personal resilience, the pull of a historic opportunity, and the unpredictable nature of football. For now, the island nation breathes a collective sigh of relief. The man who led them to the promised land is back, and the adventure can truly begin. Based on reporting from The Guardian.","news","Dick Advocaat, 78, returns as Curaçao manager becoming oldest World Cup boss. Fred Rutten quits after heavy friendly defeats to Australia and China.","326257563307872256","Fortuna Sittard","329693224442531841","326324170524725248","Fortuna Sittard vs Feyenoord","2026-05-12T16:18:25Z","dick-advocaat-78-returns-oldest-manager-at-world-cup-2026","The Guardian","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theguardian.com\u002Ffootball\u002F2026\u002Fmay\u002F12\u002Fdick-advocaat-returns-curacao-world-cup-2026-adventure","326222713175674880","Curaçao",[77,68,63,80,81,82,83,84,85,86],"326222711976103936","326257789708013568","326222707169431552","326257613643714560","326257766752587776","326222712496197632","326257611768860672",[78,69,64,88,89,90,91,92,93,94],"Australia","China","Anderlecht","Hassania Agadir","Fortaleza EC","Netherlands","Zenit","Dick Advocaat, 78, Returns: Oldest Manager at World Cup 2026",[97,130,162,189],{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":-1,"category":66,"excerpt":98,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":99,"leagueId":29,"leagueName":30,"matchId":100,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":101,"slug":102,"sourceName":103,"sourceURL":104,"teamId":105,"teamName":106,"teamIds":107,"teamNames":118,"title":129},"Guéla Doué scored and assisted as Ivory Coast beat France 2-1 in a friendly, outshining his brother Désiré who featured for Les Bleus in the sibling showdown.","338200147588550657","0","2026-06-05T04:00:00Z","guela-doue-downs-brother-s-france-ivorian-2-1-win","L'Equipe","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.lequipe.fr\u002FFootball\u002FArticle\u002FUn-but-et-une-passe-decisive-contre-la-france-la-soiree-de-reve-pour-guela-doue-avec-la-cote-d-ivoire\u002F1681944#at_medium=RSS_feeds","326222712533946368","Ivory Coast",[105,108,109,110,111,112,113,114,115,116,117,82],"326222711447621632","326255037997125632","326257536145559552","326222711401484288","326222767416414208","326257536078450688","326257536296554496","326257537865224192","326257686389723136","326257535994564608",[106,119,120,121,122,123,124,125,126,127,128,90],"France","Strasbourg","Rennes","Belgium","Lesotho","Paris Saint Germain","Auxerre","Estoril","Together","Nantes","Guéla Doué downs brother's France: Ivorian 2-1 win",{"awayTeamId":131,"awayTeamName":132,"body":-1,"category":66,"excerpt":133,"homeTeamId":134,"homeTeamName":135,"id":136,"leagueId":29,"leagueName":30,"matchId":137,"matchName":138,"publishedAt":139,"slug":140,"sourceName":141,"sourceURL":142,"teamId":134,"teamName":135,"teamIds":143,"teamNames":152,"title":161},"326222712622026752","South Africa","Shakira & Burna Boy sing 'Dai Dai' at 2026 World Cup opener June 11 in Mexico City, with J Balvin, Tyla. Buble, Morissette, Perry, Future lead other ceremonies.","326222711908995072","Mexico","338120887364489217","327115024327774208","Mexico vs South Africa","2026-06-04T22:48:54Z","shakira-burna-boy-to-open-2026-world-cup-in-mexico","BBC Sport","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bbc.com\u002Fsport\u002Ffootball\u002Farticles\u002Fc8939ykg3qgo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss",[134,131,144,145,146,82,147,148,149,150,151],"326222712936599552","326222713142120448","326257593007738880","326222713016291328","326257563345620992","326257565195309056","326222711623782400","326257791226351616",[135,132,153,154,155,90,156,157,158,159,160],"Paraguay","Canada","Azteca","USA","Heracles","Barcelona","Colombia","Nigeria","Shakira, Burna Boy to Open 2026 World Cup in Mexico",{"awayTeamId":163,"awayTeamName":164,"body":-1,"category":66,"excerpt":165,"homeTeamId":108,"homeTeamName":119,"id":166,"leagueId":29,"leagueName":30,"matchId":167,"matchName":168,"publishedAt":169,"slug":170,"sourceName":103,"sourceURL":171,"teamId":105,"teamName":106,"teamIds":172,"teamNames":180,"title":188},"326222711783165952","Senegal","France lose first friendly under Deschamps, 2-1 to Ivory Coast in Nantes, revealing defensive issues 10 days before World Cup start vs Senegal.","338126221931974657","327115052106649600","France vs Senegal","2026-06-04T22:34:17Z","bleus-lose-friendly-under-deschamps-2-1-to-ivory-coast","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.lequipe.fr\u002FFootball\u002FArticle\u002FUne-defaite-ni-vraiment-grave-ni-completement-anodine-pour-les-bleus-a-dix-jours-de-leur-entree-en-scene-au-mondial\u002F1681936#at_medium=RSS_feeds",[105,108,163,117,173,144,112,174,175,176,115,177,178,179,81,82],"326257810885054464","326255039846813696","326255041625198592","326257536413995008","326257541157752832","326257545754710016","326257554411753472",[106,119,164,128,181,153,123,182,183,184,126,185,186,187,89,90],"York","FK Partizan","Partizani","Paris FC","Galatasaray","Newcastle","Newcastle Jets","Bleus Lose Friendly Under Deschamps: 2-1 to Ivory Coast",{"awayTeamId":190,"awayTeamName":191,"body":-1,"category":66,"excerpt":192,"homeTeamId":108,"homeTeamName":119,"id":193,"leagueId":29,"leagueName":30,"matchId":194,"matchName":195,"publishedAt":196,"slug":197,"sourceName":103,"sourceURL":198,"teamId":108,"teamName":119,"teamIds":199,"teamNames":208,"title":217},"326222712819159040","Iraq","Lucas Hernandez: France's 1-2 friendly loss to Ivory Coast is better now than June 16 World Cup opener vs Senegal, with Northern Ireland test next.","338124609578602497","327115069915664384","France vs Iraq","2026-06-04T22:32:57Z","hernandez-france-loss-better-now-than-june-16","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.lequipe.fr\u002FFootball\u002FActualites\u002FLucas-hernandez-apres-la-defaite-1-2-de-la-france-contre-la-cote-d-ivoire\u002F1681942#at_medium=RSS_feeds",[108,190,105,163,200,201,202,115,177,203,204,205,206,207],"326257664243798016","326257535885512704","326222712013852672","326257556060114944","326257565845426176","326257695210344448","326257796423094272","326222712898850816",[119,191,106,164,209,210,211,126,185,212,213,214,215,216],"Northern Ireland","Lille","Iran","Estudiantes L.P.","Mallorca","Signal","Russia","Qatar","Hernandez: France Loss Better Now Than June 16",{"awayScore":219,"awayTeam":220,"description":224,"homeScore":18,"homeTeam":225,"id":71,"kickoffAt":229,"length":230,"leagueId":231,"leagueName":232,"leagueSlug":233,"probabilityLabel":232,"slug":234,"status":235,"tvStations":236,"venueCity":21,"venueName":21},2,{"code":221,"id":63,"imagePath":222,"name":64,"slug":223},"AWY","https:\u002F\u002Fmedia.api-sports.io\u002Ffootball\u002Fteams\u002F209.png","feyenoord","On May 3, 2026, the Fortuna Sittard Stadion will host a classic Eredivisie clash with significant implications at both ends of the table as Fortuna Sittard welcomes giants Feyenoord. For the home side, this match is a critical juncture in their battle for survival. Every point is vital in their fight to avoid relegation, and a result against a top team would provide a massive psychological and points-based boost. For Feyenoord, the context is entirely different but equally intense. The Rotterdammers are expected to be in a fierce title race, and dropping points here could be catastrophic for their championship ambitions, making this a must-win fixture on the road.\n\nThe history between these clubs is one of contrasting stature rather than deep-seated animosity. Feyenoord, one of the traditional \"Big Three,\" holds a dominant historical record, but Fortuna Sittard has often proven to be a stubborn opponent, especially on their own turf. The compact and atmospheric Fortuna Sittard Stadion, known for its passionate and close-to-the-pitch support, becomes a cauldron on days like this, where the underdog fans believe an upset is possible.\n\nTactically, this presents a fascinating duel. Fortuna will likely adopt a deep, disciplined defensive block, looking to frustrate Feyenoord's fluid attacking play and strike on the counter-attack or from set-pieces. Feyenoord, under their manager, will aim to dominate possession, utilizing wide areas and intricate passing combinations to break down the resilient home defense. Key battles will occur in midfield, where Fortuna's tenacity meets Feyenoord's technical quality.\n\nFans can expect a charged, tense atmosphere from the first whistle. The Fortuna faithful will be their team's twelfth man, roaring every tackle and clearance, while the sizable and vocal Feyenoord away support will demand nothing less than three points. The match promises to be a compelling narrative of desperation versus ambition, where the underdog's grit is pitted against the favorite's quality, with the final outcome potentially shaping both the title race and the relegation battle.",{"code":226,"id":68,"imagePath":227,"name":69,"slug":228},"HME","https:\u002F\u002Fmedia.api-sports.io\u002Ffootball\u002Fteams\u002F205.png","fortuna-sittard","2026-05-03T12:30:00Z",90,"326135624748765184","Eredivisie","nl-eredivisie","fortuna-sittard-vs-feyenoord-2026-05-03","finished",[]]