It’s been an emotional few months for legendary football manager Dick Advocaat, who couldn’t hide his emotions ahead of Curacao’s World Cup debut against Germany on Sunday.

The 78-year-old has managed the Netherlands, Rangers, Sunderland and Belgium among many other clubs and national sides over a managerial career that started all the way back in 1980. He created history by guiding Curacao to the biggest international competition in the world.

The Dutch Caribbean island, which is owned by the Netherlands, is the smallest nation to ever play at the World Cup finals. With a population of fewer than 200,000 people, it’s a truly remarkable story.

Dick Advocaat’s Curacao Tears Explained

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The minuscule nation were given an extremely difficult task on the opening day of their 2026 World Cup campaign, facing four-time winners Germany. Julian Nagelsmann’s side took an early lead before being shocked by yet another historic moment.

In the 21st minute, Livano Comenencia smashed the ball past Manuel Neuer in the Germany goal to become his country’s first-ever World Cup scorer. The scenes inside Houston Stadium were incredible.

They may have gone on to be easily beaten by die Mannschaft, but it was still a surreal moment for those wearing blue on the pitch and in the stands. One man who certainly felt the emotions of the occasion was the manager.

It’s not hard to understand why. After all, he stepped down as the national team manager after successfully guiding Curacao to the World Cup in order to look after his ill daughter.

He walked away from being on the touchline, but thanks to an improvement in his daughter’s condition, he stepped back in to take charge. In doing so, he has now become the oldest manager in World Cup history. It’s safe to say it’s been a roller coaster of emotions for the iconic Dutchman in recent months.

Advocaat Went Into Historic World Cup With Optimism

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Ahead of his side’s heavy defeat against Germany, Advocaat spoke about how Curacao had to make it difficult for the opposition to play against them. “We are a small country compared to Germany, ​but we will make life difficult for them and be ⁠a tough team to play,” he said (per The Sun).

His pride was evident as he pointed out they’ve achieved something special just by qualifying. He added: “We have nothing to lose. The expectation is not that high ‌outside ⁠of us as a squad, because we think we can surprise people. Just being here is great for the players and the country, but we also have to show people what we are made of.”

Rangers are ready to beat Celtic to the signing of Hearts forward Claudio Braga on the request of Derek McInnes, according to Football FanCast.

Rangers will want to overtake Celtic and Hearts to win the Scottish Premiership title next season, but their plans have been affected by the expected departure of Danny Rohl to RB Salzburg.

The Light Blues have agreed a three-year deal to bring McInnes to the club from Hearts as Rohl’s replacement, with final details now being ironed out before the move is made official.

The 54-year-old will arrive at Ibrox with great pedigree following an outstanding 2025-26 campaign at Tynecastle Park, in which he came within a whisker of winning the league title ahead of the Old Firm.

Rohl had been publicly backed by Rangers chiefs, despite a four-match losing streak that saw them go from genuine Scottish Premiership title contenders to comfortably finishing third.

Now the German is set to link up with the Red Bull Group once again, having previously worked at RB Leizpig.

GIVEMESPORT reported that McInnes, who is a boyhood Rangers fan, was keen on the job last October following the departure of Russell Martin after a disappointing start to the campaign.

Rangers Want Celtic Target Claudio Braga

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Rangers have already signed one striker from Hearts this summer in Lawrence Shankland, prior to McInnes’ arrival, and the Scottish manager is set to ask the Light Blues board to bring in another player from his soon-to-be former club.

According to Football FanCast, McInnes also wants Rangers to buy prolific Hearts forward Claudio Braga, who scored 17 goals in 44 games for the Edinburgh outfit following a summer move from Norwegian side Aalesunds.

Celtic have been linked with a move for the 26-year-old Portuguese star for months, but now McInnes is ready to deal a double blow to two of their title rivals by asking Rangers chiefs to add him to his frontline alongside Shankland.

Shankland and Braga scored 37 goals between them for Hearts this season, and Rangers will be hoping for similar numbers – or better – at Ibrox next year should the pair be reunited.

Rangers Can Snatch Title Away From Celtic

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While big improvements were made under Rohl after he replaced Martin at Ibrox, the collapse after the Scottish Premiership split was a concern heading into the new campaign.

Now, they have a manager who came so close to taking the Scottish Premiership title away from the Old Firm for the first time since 1985 in their dugout, with an even better budget and tools at his disposal.

The addition of a proven goalscorer in Shankland is a huge boost ahead of the new campaign, and adding Bravo to the mix too could be a game-changing addition.

Whatever happens with Bravo, Rangers and Celtic look set for another strong battle at the top, and McInnes and Shankland in particular will be determined to beat Martin O’Neill’s men to the title following the drama of the last game of the season when the Hoops beat them to the league in dramatic and controversial circumstances.

There are a number of favourites to win the 2026 World Cup this year, but Brazilian legend Romario does not feel as though England are among them. If the Three Lions are to have a chance, though, the iconic striker believes three men could be key.

Romario is certainly a voice worth listening to when it comes to such matters. After all, he was the best player at the 1994 World Cup, scoring five times as Brazil won the competition for the fourth time in their history. He picked up the Golden Ball as a result of his stunning displays throughout.

The United States hosted that tournament, and now 32 years later, they welcome (alongside Mexico and Canada) a new generation of talent. Romario believes England has three of the best among their ranks, but has doubts about whether that will be enough for Thomas Tuchel’s men.

Romario Impressed by England’s ‘Smart’ Trio

Speaking to the Guardian before the tournament began, Romario claimed that England have three ‘smart’ players who can ‘make a difference’ this summer. He explained:

Romario then went on to explain who he believes should be viewed as the favourite for the big prize in 2026, naming six nations, including his own Brazil:

England Stars Out For World Cup Glory

All three players were involved in Qatar 2022 as England went out to France. losing 2-1 in the quarter-finals. Harry Kane missed a penalty in that game and so will be desperate to put things right this summer. He comes into the season off the back of an astonishing season at Bayern Munich, which has made him among the 2026 Ballon d’Or favourites.

Bukayo Saka has also had a fine season with Arsenal, helping the Gunners make the Champions League final and win their first Premier League title since 2004. However, he’s not always been at his best in recent months, and that can be put down to fitness issues, which unfortunately remain a problem going into the World Cup.

Tuchel recently explained how the winger isn’t quite 100 per cent fit: “Bukayo is just not there yet. Some things are missing… consecutive trainings. They took very good care of him [at Arsenal] and were very aware of it and we will do a little bit the same. He is at the moment not able to do every training session through the week and then play. He is still going to be managed.”

Unlike Kane and Saka, Jude Bellingham was unable to win any of the major prizes with Real Madrid this season, but his status as an elite player cannot be doubted. That said, at this stage it remains unclear if he will even start for the Three Lions, with Morgan Rogers potentially in line to be trusted as Tuchel’s starting number 10. Whatever the outcome, Bellingham will expect to make a big impact for England – even if he has to do it coming off the bench.