Fred Rutten has resigned as manager of Curaçao's national football team just one day before the start of the 2026 World Cup, according to reports from CBS Sports.

The unexpected departure comes at a critical moment for the Caribbean nation, which qualified for the expanded 48-team tournament. Rutten cited the need to "protect stability" as the reason for his resignation, though specific details behind the decision were not immediately disclosed.

The timing of Rutten's resignation creates significant uncertainty for Curaçao's World Cup campaign. With the tournament set to begin imminently, the team will need to quickly establish new leadership or proceed with interim coaching arrangements.

The 2026 World Cup represents a historic opportunity for Curaçao, as the tournament features an expanded format with 48 participating nations. All qualified teams were required to submit their final 26-man rosters by FIFA's June 2 deadline.

Rutten's departure adds to the administrative challenges facing national teams as they make final preparations for the tournament. The expanded World Cup format has created additional logistical complexities for participating nations as they finalize their squads and coaching arrangements.