Coach backing tiny Curacao to surprise at World Cup
By Ian Ransom
Published on March 30, 2026.
Curacao coach Fred Rutten has expressed confidence in his team's ability to surprise the World Cup, despite a 2-0 defeat to China in a friendly match. The team will now face Germany, Ivory Coast, and Ecuador in Group E at the June 11-July 19 tournament in North America. This is Rutten's second match in charge since succeeding Dick Advocaat, who stepped down a month ago to spend time with his ill daughter. He expects better performance from his players after a long journey to Australia.
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