Curaçao at FIFA World Cup 2026 — Lawyer says his team can still enjoy debut campaign after 1-7 loss

The Curaçao players have no reason to be dejected after the 1-7 defeat of Germany in the small country’s World Cup debut on Sunday and still have the chance to enjoy a successful tournament, coach Dick Advocaat said.

The 78-year-old Dutchman said his players did not expect such a result, but acknowledged his team had given up easy goals in the Caribbean country’s first appearance at a World Cup tournament.

“We have to make it a great tournament,” said Advocaat. «We can have a surprise in the second and third games. In the end, we will be happy to have been part of the biggest football tournament in the world.»

German Felix Nmecha scored the fastest goal of the tournament and the four-time world champions continued to score, but Curaçao gave the ITS fans something to cheer when Livano Comenencia’s deflected shot beat goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to make the match 1-1.

Ultimately, however, Germany proved to be too much to handle, something that Advocaat did not have to be ashamed of, according to his players.

“We expected to do more against Germany, but we couldn’t,” he added. “They were very strong and we conceded a few easy goals.

«Players know that if they lose, they don’t have to be dejected. There is no shame in this.»

Advocaat also praised the traveling supporters who cheered on their team even as the score against them continued to grow.

He also said he had to step back into the dugout when the anthem started because the moment became too emotional for him.

“This is related to the joy of the people of Curaçao,” he said. «This is the moment when the emotions come out. The joy of the people is fantastic.»

Published on June 15, 2026