<p>Debutants Curacao are about to break an all-time World Cup record.</p><p><br /></p><p>Spearheaded by veteran coach Dick Advocaat – soon to be the oldest coach in the tournament’s history – the Caribbean island are the smallest-ever nation to make an appearance at the finals with a population of only 160,000.</p><p><br /></p><p>So what should you know about the brilliantly nicknamed Blue Wave before they make their bow on the global stage this month?</p><p><br /></p><p>In the second episode of our four-part series on the 2026 World Cup debutants, we’re focusing on Curacao –a non-independent country that is part of the Netherlands and has as many Europe-born players as first opponents Germany.</p><p><br /></p><p>Plus, Graham Potter calls up a member of the Swedish nobility in defence and Iran’s final friendly opponents Gambia lose their football boots.</p><p><br /></p><p>Chapters:</p><p>00:00 – Intro</p><p>02:48 – The coach: Dick Advocaat’s age record</p><p>05:40 – The players: Only Chong born in Curacao</p><p>09:15 – Qualifying: VAR scare versus Jamaica</p><p>12:05 – Group: Germany, Ivory Coast &amp; Ecuador</p><p>15:50 – Gustaf Lagerbielke: Sweden’s defensive baron</p><p>17:42 – Gambia: DJ visits and lost football boots</p>