Curaçao coach Fred Rutten faces absences ahead of Australia friendlies Curaçao's national team coach, Fred Rutten, will be without three players for the upcoming friendly matches against Australia, as he prepares for his debut as head coach of the World Cup-bound squad. Rutten, who recently took over from Dick Advocaat following his departure due to family circumstances, will not have Armando Obispo, Deveron Fonville, and Jürgen Locadia available for the trip "Down Under." Obispo and Fonville are both dealing with minor injuries, with expectations that they will be fit again for their respective clubs after the international break. Locadia’s absence is also confirmed, though details surrounding his situation were not further specified. The matches against Australia and China form part of the FIFA Series 2026 and serve as an important testing phase for the team. For Curaçao, the tour is not only an introduction to the new coaching staff but also the final opportunity to evaluate players before selecting the squad for the upcoming World Cup. Curaçao, set to make its World Cup debut, has been drawn into a challenging group alongside Germany, Ecuador, and Ivory Coast in the tournament, which will be held in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The friendlies are expected to play a key role in shaping the final squad as the team prepares for one of the biggest moments in its football history.#world_cup #fifa_series_2026 #curaao #fred_rutten #dick_advocaat
