Curaçao has made its historic debut at the FIFA World Cup, with head coach Dick Advocaat stating his pride in the national team’s performance despite a significant defeat.

According to Caribbean National Weekly, the appearance at the World Cup represents a landmark moment for the Caribbean island territory, marking the first time Curaçao has qualified for and competed at the global football tournament. The precise scoreline and opposing team were not detailed in the available source material, though the defeat is described as substantial.

Head coach Dick Advocaat, the experienced Dutch football manager leading the Curaçao national side, was reported by Caribbean National Weekly to have expressed pride in his squad notwithstanding the result. Advocaat is said to have emphasised the historical significance of the participation itself as a measure of achievement for the nation.

Curaçao, an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, maintains its own national football association and competes under the CONCACAF confederation. The island’s qualification for the World Cup is regarded as a notable accomplishment within the region.

The Curaçao Football Federation could not be reached for comment at the time of publication.