Suriname national football team

The Suriname national football team (Dutch: Surinaams voetbalelftal; Sranan Tongo: Sranankondre fubal pluga) represents Suriname in international football. The team is controlled by the Surinamese Football Association, which is a member of CONCACAF.

Suriname
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Natio (National)
A-Selectie (A-Selection)
de Jaguars (the Jaguars)
AssociationSurinaamse Voetbal Bond (SVB)
ConfederationCONCACAF (North America)
Sub-confederationCFU (Caribbean)
Head coachStanley Menzo
CaptainStefano Denswil
Most capsMarlon Felter (48)
Top scorerStefano Rijssel, Gleofilo Vlijter (14)
Home stadiumFranklin Essed Stadion
FIFA codeSUR
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 141 Increase 3 (20 June 2024)[1]
Highest84 (August 2008)
Lowest191 (December 2015)
First international
Suriname 0–5 British Guiana 
(Surinam; 17 August 1915)[2]
Biggest win
Suriname 9–0 French Guiana
(Suriname; 2 March 1947)
Suriname 9–0 British Guiana 
(Netherlands Antilles; 17 February 1952)
Suriname 9–0 British Guiana 
(Aruba; 9 February 1953)
Biggest defeat
Suriname 1–8 Aruba
(Suriname; 6 June 1946)
 Mexico 8–1 Suriname 
(Monterrey, Mexico; 15 October 1977)
 Costa Rica 7–0 Suriname 
(San José, Costa Rica; 6 September 2008)
CONCACAF Championship / Gold Cup
Appearances3 (first in 1977)
Best resultSixth place (1977)

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.[4] 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 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.[5] 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.[6] 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.[7]

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 trainingcamps 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.[8] On 19 November, Suriname qualified for the 2021 Gold Cup with 2–1 CONCACAF Nations League win over Nicaragua.[9] 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.[10]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.[11]

Kit sponsorship

Kit supplierPeriod
Copa2008–2010
Kelme2011–2014
Klupp2015–2024
Macron2024–present

Results and fixtures

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

  Win  Draw  Loss  Fixture

2023

v  Suriname
8 September 2023 2023–24 Nations League Grenada  1–1  Suriname St. George's, Grenada
19:00 UTC−4
  • Lewis 85'
ReportStadium: Kirani James Athletic Stadium
Referee: Kwinsi Williams (Trinidad and Tobago)
v  Suriname
12 September 2023 2023–24 Nations League Cuba  1–0  Suriname Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
16:00 UTC−4
ReportStadium: Estadio Antonio Maceo
Referee: Fernando Guerrero (Mexico)
v  Haiti
12 October 2023 2023–24 Nations League Suriname  1–1  Haiti Paramaribo, Suriname
19:00 UTC−3
ReportStadium: Dr. Ir. Franklin Essed Stadion
Referee: Víctor Cáceres (Mexico)
v  Grenada
15 October 2023 2023–24 Nations League Suriname  4–0  Grenada Paramaribo, Suriname
21:00 UTC−3ReportStadium: Frank Essed Stadion
Attendance: 1,285
Referee: Daneon Parchment (Jamaica)

2024

v  Martinique
24 March 2024 Friendly Suriname  1–1  Martinique Almere, The Netherlands
Stadium: Yanmar Stadion
v  Suriname
8 June 2024 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Anguilla  0–4  Suriname The Valley, Anguilla
Report (FIFA)
Report (CONCACAF)
Stadium: Raymond E. Guishard Stadium
Attendance: 600
Referee: Hakeem Harvey (Saint Kitts and Nevis)
v  Suriname
5 September 2024 2024–25 CONCACAF Nations League Guyana  v  Suriname Guyana
Stadium: TBA
v  Suriname
9 September 2024 2024–25 CONCACAF Nations League Guadeloupe  v  Suriname Guadeloupe
Stadium: TBA

2025

v  Suriname
10 June 2025 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification El Salvador  v  Suriname El Salvador
Stadium: TBD

Coaching staff

As of 7 March 2024

Head Coach Stanley Menzo
Assistant Coach Remko Bicentini
Assistant Coach Ryan Koolwijk

Coaching history

Caretaker managers are listed in italics.

† Indicates that they managed in no official matches

Players

Current squad

No.Pos.PlayerDate of birth (age)CapsGoalsClub
11GKWarner Hahn (1992-06-15) 15 June 1992 (age 32)200 Kyoto Sanga
231GKEtienne Vaessen (1995-07-26) 26 July 1995 (age 28)20 Groningen
131GKJonathan Fonkel (2005-04-15) 15 April 2005 (age 19)00 Robinhood

122DFMyenty Abena (1994-12-12) 12 December 1994 (age 29)171 Ferencváros
42DFDion Malone (1989-02-13) 13 February 1989 (age 35)170 Karmiotissa
192DFShaquille Pinas (1998-03-19) 19 March 1998 (age 26)163 Hammarby
52DFRidgeciano Haps (1993-06-12) 12 June 1993 (age 31)130 Genoa
32DFStefano Denswil (1993-05-07) 7 May 1993 (age 31)70 Trabzonspor
22DFAnfernee Dijksteel (1996-10-27) 27 October 1996 (age 27)50 Middlesbrough
172DFDjevencio van der Kust (2001-04-30) 30 April 2001 (age 23)41 Sparta Rotterdam
182DFAlierio Belfor (1999-05-04) 4 May 1999 (age 25)00 Robinhood

143MFSergino Eduard (1994-09-04) 4 September 1994 (age 29)271 Transvaal
153MFJamilhio Rigters (1999-11-11) 11 November 1999 (age 24)133 Robinhood
223MFKenneth Paal (1997-06-24) 24 June 1997 (age 27)90 Queens Park Rangers
163MFRenske Adipi (1999-08-01) 1 August 1999 (age 24)40 Robinhood
83MFJustin Lonwijk (1999-12-21) 21 December 1999 (age 24)32 Dynamo Kyiv
63MFImmanuel Pherai (2001-04-25) 25 April 2001 (age 23)20 Hamburg

114FWSheraldo Becker (1995-02-09) 9 February 1995 (age 29)123 Real Sociedad
94FWJeredy Hilterman (1998-06-20) 20 June 1998 (age 26)82 Arminia Bielefeld
214FWJaden Montnor (2002-08-09) 9 August 2002 (age 21)31 Aris Limassol
104FWVirgil Misidjan (1993-07-24) 24 July 1993 (age 30)30 Al-Tai
204FWTyrone Conraad (1997-04-07) 7 April 1997 (age 27)22 Meizhou Hakka
74FWGyrano Kerk (1995-12-02) 2 December 1995 (age 28)20 Royal Antwerp

Recent call-ups

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

Pos.PlayerDate of birth (age)CapsGoalsClubLatest call-up
GKIshan Kort (2000-06-01) 1 June 2000 (age 24)10 Be1 NFAv.  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, 5 June 2024 PRE
GKJoey Roggeveen (1998-03-20) 20 March 1998 (age 26)10 FC Tulsav.  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, 5 June 2024 PRE
GKJahnilo Wiegel (2005-03-13) 13 March 2005 (age 19)00 PEC Zwollev.  Martinique, 24 March 2024

DFDamil Dankerlui (1996-08-24) 24 August 1996 (age 27)110 Panserraikosv.  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, 5 June 2024
DFNavajo Bakboord (1999-01-29) 29 January 1999 (age 25)50 Heracles Almelov.  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, 5 June 2024 PRE
DFRadinio Balker (1998-09-03) 3 September 1998 (age 25)00 Huddersfield Townv.  Martinique, 24 March 2024
DFLiam van Gelderen (2001-03-23) 23 March 2001 (age 23)00 Groningenv.  Martinique, 7 March 2024 PRE
DFFaustino Benali (1999-05-11) 11 May 1999 (age 25)00 PVVv.  Cuba, 12 September 2023

MFKelvin Leerdam (1990-06-24) 24 June 1990 (age 34)180 Heracles Almelov.  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, 5 June 2024 PRE
MFDhoraso Klas (2001-01-30) 30 January 2001 (age 23)40 Deinzev.  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, 5 June 2024 PRE
MFShiloh 't Zand (2003-05-14) 14 May 2003 (age 21)00 Dordrechtv.  Martinique, 7 March 2024 PRE
MFDiego Biseswar (1988-03-08) 8 March 1988 (age 36)150Free agentv.  Cuba, 12 September 2023
MFRoscello Vlijter (2000-01-01) 1 January 2000 (age 24)120 Riteriaiv.  Cuba, 12 September 2023

FWGleofilo Vlijter (1999-09-17) 17 September 1999 (age 24)2014 VPSv.  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, 5 June 2024 PRE
FWFlorian Jozefzoon (1991-02-09) 9 February 1991 (age 33)181 Bandırmasporv.  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, 5 June 2024 PRE
FWYanic Wildschut (1991-11-01) 1 November 1991 (age 32)61 Exeter Cityv.  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, 5 June 2024 PRE
FWLeandro Kappel (1989-11-14) 14 November 1989 (age 34)60 Pendiksporv.  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, 5 June 2024 PRE
FWLuciano Slagveer (1993-10-05) 5 October 1993 (age 30)10Free agentv.  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, 5 June 2024 PRE
FWMitchell te Vrede (1991-09-07) 7 September 1991 (age 32)62 Gol Goharv.  Martinique, 7 March 2024 PRE
FWChé Nunnely (1999-02-04) 4 February 1999 (age 25)00 Heerenveenv.  Martinique, 7 March 2024 PRE
FWGilberto Cronie (1996-12-08) 8 December 1996 (age 27)90 Inter Moengotapoev.  Grenada, 15 October 2023
FWShaquille Cairo (2001-10-16) 16 October 2001 (age 22)30 Robinhoodv.  Grenada, 15 October 2023

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

As of 15 October 2023[13]
Players in bold are still active with Suriname.

Most appearances

RankPlayerCapsGoalsCareer
1Marlon Felter4862004–2011
2Stefano Rijssel36142010–2019
3Clifton Sandvliet33122000–2008
4Dimitrie Apai3052013–present
Sergino Eduard3012013–present
6Germaine van Dijk2912006–2011
7Ronny Aloema2842008–2012
8Obrendo Huiswoud2702010–2016
Naldo Kwasie2722010–2014
10Miquel Darson2602013–present
Ferdinand Jap A Joe2612000–2009
Emilio Limon2632008–2012
Giovanni Waal2642010–2015

Top goalscorers

RankPlayerGoalsCapsRatioCareer
1Gleofilo Vlijter14200.72015–present
Stefano Rijssel14360.392010–2019
3Clifton Sandvliet12330.362000–2008
4Nigel Hasselbaink890.892019–present
Benny Kejansi8130.621996–2002
Ivenzo Comvalius8190.422018–present
Wensley Christoph8250.322004–2010
8Marlon Felter6480.132004–2011
9Giovanni Drenthe5170.292009–2012
Gordon Kinsaini5170.292001–2009

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World CupQualification
YearRoundPositionPldWD*LGFGAPldWDLGFGA
as /  Dutch Guyana[14]as /  Dutch Guyana
1930 and 1934Did not enterDeclined participation
1938WithdrewWithdrew
1950 to 1958Did not enterDeclined participation
1962Did not qualify201112
1966410389
19704202109
19744211114
as  Surinameas  Suriname
1978Did not qualify102261524
1982421153
19866123410
1990WithdrewWithdrew
1994Did not qualify412144
1998200202
2002411212
20064211126
201093241421
20146213511
2018200214
20224301154
2026To be determined220081
2030To be determined
2034
Total0/2271241433114116

CONCACAF Gold Cup

CONCACAF Championship & Gold Cup recordQualification record
YearRoundPositionPldWD*LGFGASquadPldWDLGFGA
1963Did not enterDid not enter
1965
1967
1969
1971WithdrewWithdrew
1973Did not qualify4211114
1977Sixth place6th5005617Squad210132
1981Did not qualify421153
1985Group stage9th401329Squad211021
1989Did not enterDid not enter
1991Did not qualify211021
1993WithdrewWithdrew
1996Did not qualify311136
1998Did not enterDid not enter
2000Did not qualify202011
200262221412
2003WithdrewWithdrew
2005Did not qualify302134
20076213410
2009521266
20116312139
201363121411
2015302134
201783141212
2019421182
2021Group stage10th310235Squad6411165
2023Did not qualify502329
TotalSixth place3/27121110113177292226122102

CONCACAF Nations League

CONCACAF Nations League record
LeagueFinals
SeasonDivisionGroupPldWDLGFGAP/RFinalsResultPldWDLGFGASquad
2019–20BD6411165 2021Ineligible
2022–23AA401329 2023Did not qualify
2023–24AB412163 2024
2024–25AATo be determined 2025To be determined
Total145452417Total0 Titles

CFU Caribbean Cup

CFU Championship & Caribbean CupQualification
YearRoundPldWD[1]LGFGAPldWDLGFGA
1978Champions330080440091
1979Runners-up310254Qualified as host
1981Did not qualify72231213
1983201101
1985Fourth place302124430131
1988Did not qualify211021
1989Did not enterDid not enter
1990Did not qualify311174
1991211021
1992Group stage3012263300122
1993Did not enterDid not enter
1994Fourth place511258220040
1995Did not qualify311136
1996Fourth place511259421165
1997Did not enterDid not enter
1998Did not qualify303088
1999202011
2001Group stage3012493210103
2005Did not qualify302134
20076213410
2008Did not enterDid not enter
2010Did not qualify6312139
201263121411
2014302134
201783141212
Total1 Title25661131405347261795103

CCCF Championship

CCCF Championship
YearRoundPldWD*LGFGA
1941 to 1957Did not enter
1960Fourth place411245
1961Did not enter
Total4th place411245

Pan American Games

Pan American Games
YearRoundGPWD*LGSGA
1951 to 1987Did not enter
1991Group stage311143
1995 to 2019Did not enter
TotalGroup stage311143

ABCS Tournament

ABCS Tournament
YearResultGPWD*LGSGA
2010Champions211064
2011Third place211020
2012Runners-up210181
2013Champions220051
2015Champions220040
2021Did not enter
2022Runners-up211063
TotalChampions12831319
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

All-time record against other nations

As of 8 June 2024

TeamPldWDL
 Anguilla1100
 Antigua and Barbuda5311
 Aruba14842
 Barbados6132
 Bermuda2101
 Brazil1001
 British Virgin Islands1100
 Canada2002
 Cayman Islands2200
 China1001
 Costa Rica8008
 Cuba141211
 Curaçao[a]3010713
 Denmark1100
 Dominica4310
 Dominican Republic2011
 El Salvador7106
 Trinidad and Tobago268612
 Guyana211335
 Martinique17377
 French Guiana13733
 Guadeloupe11605
 Haiti11353
 Jamaica9216
 Grenada7331
 Guatemala5023
 Honduras3021
 Panama3201
 India2200
 Saint Kitts and Nevis4112
 Saint Lucia2101
 Nicaragua7502
 East Germany1001
 United States1100
 Netherlands1001
 Mexico3003
 Montserrat3300
 Colombia1010
 Puerto Rico2020
 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines7322
 Thailand1001
Total2629657109

Team records

Wins

Largest win
Largest win at the CONCACAF Championship finals
none
Largest win at the CCCF Championship finals
Largest win at the CFU Championship finals
Largest win at the Caribbean Cup finals
Largest win at the Pan American Games
Largest win at the CONCACAF Nations League
Largest win at the ABCS Tournament

Draws

Highest scoring draw
Highest scoring draw at the CONCACAF Championship finals
Highest scoring draw at the CCCF Championship finals
Highest scoring draw at the CFU Championship finals
Highest scoring draw at the Caribbean Cup finals
Highest scoring draw at the 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
Including unofficial games: 8–1 vs Feyenoord on 13 June 1946[15]
Largest defeat at the CONCACAF Championship finals
8–1 vs  Mexico on 15 October 1977, 1977 CONCACAF Championship
Largest defeat at the CCCF Championship finals
Largest defeat at the CFU Championship finals
Largest defeat at the Caribbean Cup finals
Largest defeat at the Pan American Games
Largest defeat at the ABCS Tournament

Honours

This is a list of honours for the senior Surinamese national team

Other tournaments

See also

References