Rehhagel’s record pulverized
Iconic coach sets a record at the World Cup
November 19, 2025 – 6:09 p.mReading time: 1 min.
At the age of almost 72, Otto Rehhagel was in action at a World Cup. But this record will most likely be history by next summer.
Dick Advocaat will be the oldest coach on the sidelines at the 2026 World Cup – breaking the old record. At 78, the Dutchman replaces Otto Rehhagel, who last played at a World Cup with Greece in 2010 at the age of 71 years and 317 days.
Qualifying with Curaçao makes this milestone possible. On Tuesday evening, the Caribbean island nation secured first place in its qualifying group with a draw against Jamaica. This means that Curaçao will be taking part in the World Cup finals in North America – and will be the smallest nation to have ever taken part in a World Cup.
For Advocaat it is the next highlight of a long career as a national coach. He looked after his home country of the Netherlands three times, but was also active in Asia and Eastern Europe. He took over the United Arab Emirates 20 years ago and later coached South Korea, Belgium, Russia and, for a short time, Serbia. In 2021 he was most recently responsible for Iraq as national coach.
He also gained experience in club football – Bundesliga fans know him from his time at Borussia Mönchengladbach (2004 to 2005). The success with Curaçao is one of the greatest triumphs of his career.