Czech Republic Coach Snags Record from World Cup Colleague Hours After Mexico Opener, Dick Advocaat Looms

Just like sixteen years ago, Mexico and South Africa kicked off the FIFA World Cup. Back then, South Africa was the host nation; this time, it's Mexico's turn. It marked the first time in World Cup history that the opening match was a repeat of a previous tournament's inaugural fixture. However, the outcome differed from 2010. That match ended in a 1-1 draw, while this time Mexico secured a 2-0 victory in a game marred by several red cards.

With 48 nations and 104 matches, this World Cup is the largest edition ever, and numerous records are expected to fall in the coming weeks. Following the opening match, one record has already been broken. Since 2010, Otto Rehhagel held the title of the oldest national team coach to participate in a World Cup, but that changed on Thursday with the appearance of Hugo Broos, South Africa's coach.

Rehhagel, coaching Greece in 2010, was 71 years and 317 days old during his country's final World Cup match. Broos, on Thursday, was precisely 74 years and 62 days old during South Africa's clash against Mexico. The Belgian briefly held the title of the oldest World Cup coach. However, just hours later, in the second match between South Korea and the Czech Republic, he lost that distinction to his Czech counterpart, Miroslav Koubek, who is 74 years and 284 days old.

Koubek's record, however, won't last long, thanks to Dick Advocaat. The Dutch national team coach led Curaçao to World Cup qualification, and his team is set to play Germany on Sunday, June 14th. Advocaat will be 78 years and 260 days old at that point, easily surpassing both Broos and Koubek. It's unlikely anyone will overtake the Dutchman this World Cup.

Curaçao's final group stage match is against Ivory Coast on June 25th, after which the record will stand at 78 years and 275 days. Should the World Cup debutants advance to the knockout stage, the Dutch coach could further extend his record.

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