Dick Advocaat has resigned as Curacao's head coach after overseeing their historic qualification for the 2026 World Cup, citing personal reasons.

Curacao reached FIFA's flagship tournament for the first time in their history last November, following a goalless draw with Jamaica in their final qualifier.

They are the smallest nation to ever reach the finals and their first-ever match at the tournament will be against Germany, in Houston, on June 14.

Ecuador and Ivory Coast will be their other opponents in Group E.

However, Advocaat has been replaced by Fred Rutten ahead of the tournament, having previously been forced to skip Curacao's final qualifier due to personal reasons. 

"I've always said family is above football. So this is a self-evident decision," Advocaat said in a statement.

"But, of course, that doesn't change the fact that I'm going to miss Curacao, the people there and my colleagues very much."