German opponent at the start of the World Cup
©IMAGO
Curacao. Julian Nagelsmann didn’t want to be put off by the sound of the Caribbean. The national coach also had words of praise for the German national team’s exotic opening World Cup opponent. “Many players were born in the Netherlands and were trained there, i.e. at the top European level,” said the 38-year-old after the draw in Washington.
But of course Nagelsmann knew that a clear starting win against the tournament newcomer on June 14, 2026 had to be a given. “Curaçao is a bit of a surprise bag. But they tend to be in the group of opponents that is worse than the other two,” said Nagelsmann, drawing a comparison to Ivory Coast and Ecuador, who are the other opponents in World Cup Group E.
Dick Advocaat, Curaçao’s coach, came to the interview zone in Washington shortly after Nagelsmann and clearly enjoyed his appearance. The fact that the Dutchman is at the World Cup with the footballers from the dream island is a sporting miracle. And Advocaat was decidedly combative: “Of course you try to achieve results. It will be difficult, but the goal is to perform,” he announced.
“We won’t give up without a fight,” added the 78-year-old and was also sure: the World Cup will be one big celebration on the Caribbean island with only 156,000 inhabitants. Like the successful qualification with a 0-0 draw against Jamaica – according to Advocaat, his team’s worst game. That comes to a modest squad value of 25.9 million euros, but is far from bottom of the World Cup.
Germany’s World Cup opponents Curaçao achieved respectable results
Curaçao already took part in the Gold Cup, the continental tournament of the North and Central American Confederation, in the summer, drawing draws against World Cup hosts Canada (1:1) and El Salvador (0:0). Every World Cup point would be a sensation. Goalkeeper Eloy Room is sure. “It will be crazy in Curaçao, everyone will experience the World Cup like a dream.”
For Advocaat, the Germany lot is also a journey through time. At the 2004 European Championships, he and the Netherlands met the DFB team and their team boss Rudi Völler. The 1-1 draw in Porto was also the opening game of the tournament, which quickly ended with Germany being eliminated from the group.
For Advocaat, the Oranje’s semi-final against Portugal was over – and the memories have paled in comparison to the Curaçao adventure. “The joy of the fans at our last home game was overwhelming. I’ve experienced a lot in my career. The joy of these people alone made up for everything,” he emphasized.
