Suriname national football team

History

Although the former Dutch colony is located in South America, it competes in CONCACAF, together with Guyana and French Guiana. Suriname was one of the founding members of CONCACAF in 1961. Suriname won the CFU Championship in 1978, were runners-up in 1979 and have achieved three fourth-place finishes in the CFU Championship/Caribbean Cup.

Suriname discourages dual citizenship and Surinamese-Dutch players who have picked up a Netherlands passport – which, crucially, offers legal work status in almost any European league – are barred from selection to the national team. Many Suriname-born players and Dutch-born players of Surinamese descent, like Gerald Vanenburg, Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard, Edgar Davids, Clarence Seedorf, Patrick Kluivert, Michael Reiziger, Aron Winter, Georginio Wijnaldum, Virgil van Dijk, Denzel Dumfries, Ryan Gravenberch, Xavi Simons and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink have turned out to play for the Dutch national team. In 1999, Humphrey Mijnals, who played for both Suriname and the Netherlands, was elected Surinamese footballer of the century. Another famous player is André Kamperveen, who captained Suriname in the 1940s and was the first Surinamese to play professionally in the Netherlands.

Suriname has participated in the qualifying matches for the FIFA World Cup since 1962, but has never qualified for the finals. Suriname's strongest showing in World Cup qualification was the campaign for the 1978 finals, when the national team reached the final group stage.

Suriname also came second in CONCACAF qualifying for the 1964 Olympics, behind qualifiers Mexico and third in qualifying for the 1980 Olympics, behind qualifiers Costa Rica and United States. The US then boycotted the Moscow Olympics, and were replaced by Cuba in the football tournament, after Suriname opted to boycott the games as well.

In 2008 Suriname advanced to the group stage of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying despite using only local players. With their two-leg victory over neighbours Guyana, Suriname moved on to face Haiti, Costa Rica, and El Salvador in the third round.

Inspired by the success of teams with dual nationals, especially Algeria, SVB president John Krishnadath submitted a proposal to the national assembly to allow dual citizenship for athletes with the then-goal of reaching the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals. In order to support this project, a team with professional players of Surinamese origin was assembled and played an exhibition match on 26 December 2014 at the Andre Kamperveen Stadion. The project is managed by Nordin Wooter and David Endt, who have set up a presentation and sent invitations to 100 players of Surinamese origin, receiving 85 positive answers. Dean Gorré was named to coach this special selection. FIFA supported the project and granted insurance for the players and clubs despite the match being unofficial.

As of May 2015, Gorré was the national team coach who oversaw both the official and unofficial teams. The professional team consisted of players willing to commit to Suriname if the dual-citizenship bill was approved, and played two international matches. In 2016, Roberto Gödeken became the head coach once again. In qualification for the 2017 Caribbean Cup, Suriname secured a spot in the third round, but finished second behind Jamaica in their group. However, as one of the three best second-place finishers, Suriname advanced to face Trinidad and Tobago and Haiti in the 5th place play-off. Suriname won the match against Trinidad and Tobago, but lost against Haiti, hence once again a failed attempt to make an appearance in the Concacaf Gold Cup.

In 2018 Dean Gorré signed a new 2 year contract with the SVB to manage Natio once more. His first game ended in a draw against Dominica in Nations League qualifiers. Gorré became not only the head coach of the senior team, but also oversees the youth teams and also has a helping hand in the introduction of a professional league in the country. Gorré also managed to arrange training camps for the national team in the Netherlands, where Natio have tested their strength against professional and amateur football clubs.

Suriname qualified for the CONCACAF Nations League B after wins against Saint Kitts and Nevis and British Virgin Islands, draw against Dominica and a loss against Jamaica. Suriname got to share a group with Nicaragua, SVG and Dominica. After a narrow away win against Dominica, Suriname got to bag a massive 6–0 win at home against Nicaragua.

In November 2019, it was announced that a so-called sports passport would allow Dutch professional footballers from the Surinamese diaspora to represent Suriname. On 19 November, Suriname qualified for the 2021 Gold Cup with 2–1 CONCACAF Nations League win over Nicaragua. It will be their debut in the CONCACAF Gold Cup and their first appearance in a CONCACAF tournament since 1985.

In the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup, Suriname played against Costa Rica, Jamaica and Guadeloupe in Group C. Suriname lost its first two matches against Jamaica and Costa Rica, but ended third in the group following a 2–1 win against Guadeloupe.

In late July, the Surinamese Football Association terminated the contract of Dean Gorré after failing to reach Natio's objectives. After the termination of Gorré, SVB announced that they have hired the services of Brian Tevreden's Tevreden Group. The Tevreden Group are involved in the search for a new national coach and the recruitment and selection of Surinamese-Dutch professionals who want to play for Natio.

Under Stanley Menzo's leadership, Suriname advances to its second CONCACAF Gold Cup (albeit its fourth continental tournament) in 2025 in the United States. Matched against Mexico, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic, it is defeated by the former two, drawing 0–0 with the Dominicans.

During the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification third round, Suriname entered as the lowest-ranked of four teams in Group A but led the for most of the campaign, which would have earned them a first-ever World Cup berth. On the final match day, tied with group favorites Panama on points but with a superior goal differential, Suriname suffered a 3–1 away loss to Guatemala while Panama defeated El Salvador, securing the automatic World Cup spot for Panama while dropping Suriname to a runners-up spot. Their only goal in the game, a second half stoppage-time own goal, kept them from elimination as they finished ahead of Honduras on goals scored as one of best two group runners-ups and qualified for the inter-confederation play-offs.

Kit supplier

Results and fixtures

Main article: Suriname national football team results

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

2024

• David
• Shaffelburg

2025

• Gil
• Lonwijk
• Martínez
• Ugalde
• Alcócer
• Kerk
• Margaret
• Pinas
• Dijksteel
• Balker
• Klas
• Chery
• Margaret
• Klas
• Lom
• Escobar
• Santis
• Samayoa

2026

Coaching staff

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Coaching history

:Caretaker managers are listed in italics. † Indicates that they managed in no official matches

• Netherlands S. Mobach (1936)
• Netherlands Morris Wijngaarde (1946)
• Netherlands Wim de Bois (1948)
• NGY André Kamperveen (1958–1962)
• NGY Humbert Boerleider (1973)
• Suriname Ollie Camps (1976)
• Suriname Walther Braithwaite (1976–1977)
• Netherlands Rob Groener (1978–1979)
• Suriname Armand Sahadewsing (1980–1982)
• Suriname Walther Braithwaite (1985–1986)
• Suriname Paul Bhagwandas (1989–1993)
• Suriname Frits Purperhart (1996–1997)
• Suriname Ronald Kolf (2000–2001)
• Uruguay Edgardo Baldi (2003–2004)
• Suriname Andy Atmodimedjo (2004)
• Suriname Wensley Bundel (2005)
• Netherlands Leo Koswal (2006)
• Suriname Kenneth Jaliens (2006–2008)
• Suriname Wensley Bundel (2008–2010)
• Netherlands Kees Zwamborn (2010)
• Suriname Ricardo Winter (2010–2011)
• Suriname Kenneth Jaliens (2011–2012)
• Suriname Ricardo Winter (2012)
• Suriname Roberto Gödeken (2013–2014)
• SUR NED Dean Gorré (2015)
• SUR Roberto Gödeken (2016–2017)
• SUR Eugene Verwey (2018)
• SUR NED Dean Gorré (2018–2021)
• NED SUR Stanley Menzo (2022)
• NED SUR Aron Winter (2022–2023)
• NED SUR Stanley Menzo (2024–2025)
• NED SUR Henk ten Cate (2025–)

Players

Current squad

• The following players are called-up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against El Salvador and Guatemala on 13 and 18 November 2025.
• Caps and goals correct as of 18 November 2025 after the match against Guatemala.

Recent call-ups

The following players have also been called up to the Suriname squad within the last twelve months. INJ Withdrew due to injury

PRE Preliminary/Standby squad

RET Retired from the national team

SUS Serving suspension

WD Player withdrew from the squad due to non-injury issue.

Player records

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Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

CONCACAF Gold Cup

Main article: Suriname at the CONCACAF Gold Cup

CONCACAF Nations League

CFU Caribbean Cup

CCCF Championship

Pan American Games

ABCS Tournament

:*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

All-time record against other nations

As of 18 November 2025

Team records

Wins

; Largest win :

• 9–0 vs on 2 March 1947 ; Largest win at the CONCACAF Championship finals : none ; Largest win at the CCCF Championship finals :
• 2–0 vs CUB Cuba on 18 February 1960, 1960 CCCF Championship ; Largest win at the CFU Championship finals :
• 4–0 vs ATG Antigua and Barbuda on 22 October 1978, 1978 CFU Championship ; Largest win at the Caribbean Cup finals :
• 3–1 vs JAM Jamaica on 28 May 1996, 1996 Caribbean Cup ; Largest win at the Pan American Games :
• 3–1 vs CAN Canada on 6 August 1991, 1991 Pan American Games ; Largest win at the CONCACAF Nations League:
• 6–0 vs NCA Nicaragua on 8 September 2019, 2019–20 CONCACAF Nations League ; Largest win at the ABCS Tournament :
• 8–0 vs Bonaire Bonaire on 13 July 2012, ABCS Tournament 2012

Draws

; Highest scoring draw :

• 3–3 vs NED Aruba on 29 August 1953
• 3–3 vs on 2 March 1998
• 3–3 vs on 12 November 2010 ; Highest scoring draw at the CONCACAF Championship finals :
• 1–1 vs HON Honduras on 23 March 1985, 1985 CONCACAF Championship ; Highest scoring draw at the CCCF Championship finals :
• 1–1 vs HON Honduras on 15 February 1960, 1960 CCCF Championship ; Highest scoring draw at the CFU Championship finals :
• 2–2 vs GPE Guadeloupe on 29 June 1985, 1985 CFU Championship ; Highest scoring draw at the Caribbean Cup finals :
• 1–1 vs ATG Antigua and Barbuda on 16 June 1992, 1992 Caribbean Cup
• 1–1 vs SKN Saint Kitts and Nevis on 30 May 1996, 1996 Caribbean Cup
• 1–1 vs HAI Haiti on 18 May 2001, 2001 Caribbean Cup ; Highest scoring draw at the Pan American Games :
• 1–1 vs HON Honduras on 8 August 1991, 1991 Pan American Games ; Highest scoring draw at the ABCS Tournament :
• n/a1

1. Tournament follows a knock-out format, and matches cannot end on a draw.

Defeats

; Largest defeat:

• 9–2 vs NED Netherlands on 30 July 1958
• 8–1 vs NED Aruba on 6 June 1946
• 8–1 vs MEX Mexico on 15 October 1977 :Including unofficial games: 8–1 vs NED Feyenoord on 13 June 1946 ; Largest defeat at the CONCACAF Championship finals : 8–1 vs on 15 October 1977, 1977 CONCACAF Championship ; Largest defeat at the CCCF Championship finals :
• 3–1 vs CRC Costa Rica on 17 February 1960, 1960 CCCF Championship ; Largest defeat at the CFU Championship finals :
• 3–1 vs GYF French Guiana on 21 June 1981, 1981 CFU Championship ; Largest defeat at the Caribbean Cup finals :
• 4–0 vs SKN Saint Kitts and Nevis on 20 May 2001, 2001 Caribbean Cup ; Largest defeat at the Pan American Games :
• 1–0 vs USA United States on 4 August 1991, 1991 Pan American Games ; Largest defeat at the ABCS Tournament :
• 1–0 vs ARU Aruba on 15 July 2012, ABCS Tournament 2012

Honours

Regional

• CFU Championship
  • Champions (1): 1978
  • Third place (1): 1979

Friendly

• ABCS Tournament (3): 2010, 2013, 2015
• Betty Brown Challenge Cup (1): 1943

References

References

1. "Suriname national football team: record v Curacao".
2. Boehm, Charles. (29 January 2014). "Stefano Rijssel, Seattle Sounders and the strange case of Surinamese soccer". Soccerwire.
3. "Het debuut van Humphrey Mijnals". Olympisch Stadion.
4. Gayadien, Rajesh. "Suriprofs geïnformeerd over WK 2018-project".
5. Gayadien, Rajesh. "FIFA bereidt om Suriprofs te verzekeren".
6. "Nigel Hasselbaink wil debuteren voor Suriname". Algemeen Dagblad.
7. "'Natio' kwalificeert zich voor Gold Cup". de Ware Tijd.
8. "Dean Gorré niet langer bondscoach van Suriname". AD.
9. "Brian Tevreden aan de slag voor Suriname". De Telegraaf.
10. (18 November 2025). "Curacao, Suriname on verge of joining World Cup party". France 24.
11. (19 November 2025). "Guatemala concludes World Cup Qualifying with win, Suriname heads to Play-Off". CONCACAF.
12. "Suriname".
13. "Overview of the Participating Member Associations". FIFA.
14. Draws include knockout matches decided on a [[penalty shootout (association football). penalty shootout]].
15. (1990). "De eerste Surinaamse sportencyclopedie (1893–1988)". Alberga.