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Suriname national football team facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
This page is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Suriname women's national football team.
Quick facts for kids
Suriname
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s) Natio (National)
Association Surinaamse Voetbal Bond (SVB)
Confederation CONCACAF (North America)
Sub-confederation CFU (Caribbean)
Head coach Stanley Menzo
Captain Dion Malone
Most caps Marlon Felter (48)
Top scorer Gleofilo Vlijter (15)
Home stadium Franklin Essed Stadion
FIFA code SUR
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 153 Steady (7 February 2019)
Highest 84 (August 2008)
Lowest 191 (December 2015)
Elo ranking
Current 146 Increase 6 (3 March 2019)
Highest 54 (23 July 1934)
Lowest 172 (21 February 2016)
First international
Suriname 0–5 British Guiana 
(Surinam; 17 August 1915)
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 2–9 Netherlands
(Suriname; 30 July 1958)
 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
Appearances 4 (first in 1977)
Best result Sixth place (1977)
CCCF Championship
Appearances 1 (first in 1960)
Best result Fourth place (1960)
Medal record
CFU Championship
Gold 1978 Trinidad and Tobago Team
Bronze 1979 Suriname Team

The Suriname national football team (also known as Natio) represents Suriname in international football games. The team is managed by the Surinaamse Voetbal Bond (SVB). This association is a member of CONCACAF, which is the football group for North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.

Team History and Achievements

Suriname is located in South America. However, its football team plays in the CONCACAF region. This is similar to Guyana and French Guiana. Suriname was one of the first members of CONCACAF when it started in 1961.

The team has had some good moments. They won the CFU Championship in 1978. They also finished second in 1979. They have reached fourth place three times in the CFU Championship/Caribbean Cup.

Players and Citizenship Rules

Suriname has a rule about dual citizenship. This means players who also have a passport from another country, like the Netherlands, cannot play for Suriname. Many players born in Suriname or with Surinamese family who were born in the Netherlands have played for the Dutch national team.

Some famous players who could have played for Suriname include Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard, Edgar Davids, and Clarence Seedorf. In 1999, Humphrey Mijnals was named Surinamese footballer of the century. He played for both Suriname and the Netherlands. André Kamperveen was another important player. He was the team captain in the 1940s. He was also the first Surinamese player to play professionally in the Netherlands.

World Cup and Olympic Efforts

Suriname has tried to qualify for the FIFA World Cup since 1962. However, they have never made it to the final tournament. Their best attempt was for the 1978 World Cup. They reached the final group stage of the CONCACAF qualifiers.

The team also did well in qualifying for the Olympics. They finished second in the CONCACAF qualifiers for the 1964 Olympics. They were third for the 1980 Olympics.

Recent Developments and Gold Cup Debut

In 2008, Suriname reached the group stage of World Cup qualifiers. They did this using only players from their home country. They beat Guyana and then faced Haiti, Costa Rica, and El Salvador.

The SVB wanted to allow players with dual citizenship to join the team. This was to help them qualify for the World Cup. In 2014, a special team of professional players with Surinamese roots played a friendly match. This project aimed to get more talented players for the national team.

In 2018, Dean Gorré became the head coach again. He also helped with youth teams and a new professional league in Suriname. He arranged training camps in the Netherlands for the team.

Suriname qualified for the CONCACAF Nations League B. They had wins against Saint Kitts and Nevis and British Virgin Islands. They also drew with Dominica. In November 2019, a "sports passport" rule was announced. This allowed Dutch professional players of Surinamese background to play for Suriname.

On November 19, 2019, Suriname made history. They qualified for the 2021 Gold Cup by beating Nicaragua 2-1. This was their first time in the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

In the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup, Suriname played in Group C. They lost their first two matches against Jamaica and Costa Rica. However, they won their last group game 2-1 against Guadeloupe. This placed them third in their group.

After the 2021 Gold Cup, Dean Gorré's contract ended. The SVB then hired the Tevreden Group. This group helps find a new coach and recruit Surinamese-Dutch players.

Under coach Stanley Menzo, Suriname qualified for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup. In this tournament, they played against Costa Rica, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. They drew 0-0 with the Dominican Republic but lost to Costa Rica and Mexico.

Kit Suppliers

The team's uniforms have been made by different companies over the years:

Kit supplier Period
Suriname Gunner 2001–2002
Argentina Topper 2002
Netherlands Copa 2008–2010
Spain Kelme 2011–2014
Netherlands Klupp 2015–2024
Italy Macron 2024–present

Recent Matches and Schedule

Main article: Suriname national football team results

Here are the results of matches played in the last year, and upcoming games.

      Win       Draw       Loss       Fixture

2024 Matches

5 June 2024 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Suriname  4–1  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Paramaribo, Suriname
18:00 UTC−3
  • Becker Goal 39' (pen.)
  • Hilterman Goal 45+2'
  • Lonwijk Goal 46'
  • Montnor Goal 70'
  • Anderson Goal 31'
 Stadium: Frank Essed Stadion
Attendance: 3,220
Referee: Joe Dickerson (United States)
8 June 2024 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Anguilla  0–4  Suriname The Valley, Anguilla
  • Conraad Goal 10', 75'
  • Pinas Goal 62'
  • Austin Goal 88' (o.g.)
 Stadium: Raymond E. Guishard Stadium
Attendance: 600
Referee: Hakeem Harvey (Saint Kitts and Nevis)
5 September 2024 2024–25 CONCACAF Nations League Guyana  1–3  Suriname Leonora, Guyana
Glasgow Goal 43' (pen.)
  • Van der Kust Goal 18'
  • Montnor Goal 66'
  • Misidjan Goal 83'
 Stadium: Synthetic Track and Field Facility
Referee: Christopher Mason (Jamaica)
9 September 2024 2024–25 CONCACAF Nations League Guadeloupe  1–0  Suriname Le Gosier, Guadeloupe
  • Leborgne Goal 67'
 Stadium: Stade Roger Zami
Referee: Reon Radix (Grenada)
11 October 2024 2024–25 CONCACAF Nations League Suriname  1–1  Costa Rica Paramaribo, Suriname
Vlijter Goal 34' Alcócer Goal 12' Stadium: Frank Essed Stadion
Attendance: 3,274
Referee: Adonai Escobedo (Mexico)
15 October 2024 2024–25 CONCACAF Nations League Suriname  5–1  Guyana Paramaribo, Suriname
  • Becker Goal 3', 10'
  • Misidjan Goal 33'
  • Jubitana Goal 51'
  • Haps Goal 69'
 J. Jones Goal 13' Stadium: Frank Essed Stadion
Attendance: 3,274
Referee: Steffon Dewar (Jamaica)
15 November 2024 2024–25 CONCACAF Nations League QF Suriname  0–1  Canada Paramaribo, Suriname
20:30 UTC−3
Stadium: Frank Essed Stadion
Attendance: 4,500
Referee: Oshane Nation (Jamaica)
19 November 2024 2024–25 CONCACAF Nations League QF Canada  3–0  Suriname Toronto, Canada
19:30 UTC−5
  • David Goal 23'
  • Shaffelburg Goal 30', 67'
 Stadium: BMO Field
Attendance: 13,239
Referee: Katia García (Mexico)

2025 Matches

21 March 2025 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup qualification Suriname  1–0  Martinique Paramaribo, Suriname
Kerk Goal 52' Stadium: Dr. Ir. Franklin Essed Stadion
Attendance: 2,748
Referee: Víctor Cáceres (Mexico)
25 March 2025 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup qualification Martinique  0–1  Suriname Fort-de-France, Martinique
Pherai Goal 80' Stadium: Stade Pierre-Aliker
Referee: José Torres (Puerto Rico)
6 June 2025 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Suriname  1–0  Puerto Rico Paramaribo, Suriname
  • Montnor Goal 79'
 Stadium: Franklin Essed Stadion
Attendance: 3,300
Referee: Nelson Salgado (Honduras)
10 June 2025 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification El Salvador  1–1  Suriname San Salvador, El Salvador
19:00 UTC−6
  • Gil Goal 32'
  • Lonwijk Goal 19'
 Stadium: Estadio Cuscatlán
Referee: Jon Freemon (United States)
15 June 2025 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup GS Costa Rica  4–3  Suriname San Diego, United States
20:00 UTC−7
  • Martínez Goal 14'
  • Ugalde Goal 19' (pen.), 90+13' (pen.)
  • Alcócer Goal 76'
  • Kerk Goal 34'
  • Margaret Goal 59'
  • Pinas Goal 64' (pen.)
 Stadium: Snapdragon Stadium
Referee: Joe Dickerson (United States)
18 June 2025 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup GS Suriname  0–2  Mexico Arlington, United States
21:00 UTC−5 Montes Goal 57', 63' Stadium: AT&T Stadium
Attendance: 34,015
Referee: Selvin Brown (Honduras)
22 June 2025 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup GS Dominican Republic  0–0  Suriname Arlington, United States
21:00 UTC−5 Stadium: AT&T Stadium
Attendance: 20,918
Referee: Ismael Cornejo (El Salvador)
September 2025 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Suriname  v  Panama Suriname
Stadium: TBD
September 2025 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification El Salvador  v  Suriname El Salvador
Stadium: TBD
October 2025 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Suriname  v  Guatemala Suriname
Stadium: TBD
October 2025 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Panama  v  Suriname Panama
Stadium: TBD
November 2025 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Suriname  v  El Salvador Suriname
Stadium: TBD
November 2025 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Guatemala  v  Suriname Guatemala
Stadium: TBD

Coaching Staff

As of June 15, 2025, here is the coaching staff for the Suriname national football team:

Staff
Head Coach Netherlands Stanley Menzo
Assistant Coach Suriname Ryan Koolwijk
Assistant Coach Suriname Roberto Gödeken
Assistant Coach Netherlands Jason Vermeer
Goalkeeping Coach Netherlands Bart Tinus
Fitness Coach Netherlands Michiel ten Haken
Team Doctor Netherlands Willem Graafland
Physiotherapists Netherlands Robin Massier

Coaching History

Many coaches have led the Suriname team over the years. Some have been from Suriname, and others from the Netherlands.

  • Netherlands S. Mobach (1936)
  • Netherlands Morris Wijngaarde (1946)
  • Netherlands Wim de Bois (1948)
  • Suriname (Kingdom of the Netherlands) André Kamperveen (1958–1962)
  • Suriname (Kingdom of the Netherlands) 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)
  • Suriname Netherlands Dean Gorré (2015)
  • Suriname Roberto Gödeken (2016–2017)
  • Suriname Eugene Verwey (2018)
  • Suriname Netherlands Dean Gorré (2018–2021)
  • Netherlands Suriname Stanley Menzo (2022)
  • Netherlands Suriname Aron Winter (2022–2023)
  • Netherlands Suriname Stanley Menzo (2024–)

Current Players

These players were chosen for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches and the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Their caps (games played) and goals are correct as of June 22, 2025.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Warner Hahn (1992-06-15) 15 June 1992 (age 33) 26 0 Sweden Hammarby
1GK Etienne Vaessen (1995-07-26) 26 July 1995 (age 30) 9 0 Netherlands Groningen
1GK Ishan Kort (2000-06-01) 1 June 2000 (age 25) 1 0 Unattached
1GK Jonathan Fonkel (2005-04-15) 15 April 2005 (age 20) 0 0 Suriname Robinhood
2DF Shaquille Pinas (1998-03-19) 19 March 1998 (age 27) 29 4 Sweden Hammarby
2DF Dion Malone (1989-02-13) 13 February 1989 (age 36) 28 0 Cyprus Karmiotissa Polemidion
2DF Myenty Abena (1994-12-12) 12 December 1994 (age 30) 26 1 Turkey Gaziantep
2DF Ridgeciano Haps (1993-06-12) 12 June 1993 (age 32) 24 2 Italy Venezia
2DF Djevencio van der Kust (2001-04-30) 30 April 2001 (age 24) 14 2 Netherlands Sparta Rotterdam
2DF Anfernee Dijksteel (1996-10-27) 27 October 1996 (age 28) 13 0 Unattached
2DF Liam van Gelderen (2001-03-23) 23 March 2001 (age 24) 12 0 Netherlands RKC Waalwijk
2DF Yannick Leliendal (2002-04-23) 23 April 2002 (age 23) 1 0 Netherlands Volendam
3MF Kenneth Paal (1997-06-24) 24 June 1997 (age 28) 17 0 Unattached
3MF Denzel Jubitana (1999-05-06) 6 May 1999 (age 26) 11 1 Greece Atromitos
3MF Immanuel Pherai (2001-04-25) 25 April 2001 (age 24) 11 1 Germany Hamburger SV
3MF Justin Lonwijk (1999-12-21) 21 December 1999 (age 25) 9 3 Ukraine Dynamo Kyiv
3MF Dhoraso Klas (2001-01-30) 30 January 2001 (age 24) 10 0 Georgia (country) Iberia 1999
3MF Renske Adipi (1999-08-01) 1 August 1999 (age 26) 7 0 Suriname Transvaal
3MF Jean-Paul Boëtius (1994-03-22) 22 March 1994 (age 31) 3 0 Germany Darmstadt 98
3MF Jayden Turfkruier (2002-09-25) 25 September 2002 (age 22) 3 0 Unattached
4FW Gleofilo Vlijter (1999-09-17) 17 September 1999 (age 25) 32 15 Hungary Újpest
4FW Jamilhio Rigters (1999-11-11) 11 November 1999 (age 25) 16 4 Jamaica Cavalier
4FW Jaden Montnor (2002-08-09) 9 August 2002 (age 22) 13 3 Cyprus Aris Limassol
4FW Gyrano Kerk (1995-12-02) 2 December 1995 (age 29) 11 2 Belgium Antwerp
4FW Richonell Margaret (2000-07-07) 7 July 2000 (age 25) 7 1 Netherlands Go Ahead Eagles
4FW Shaquille Stein (2000-07-07) 7 July 2000 (age 25) 0 0 Jamaica Cavalier

Recent Call-ups

These players have also been called to the Suriname squad in the last year.


Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Endro Esperansie (1999-07-09) 9 July 1999 (age 26) 0 0 Suriname Voorwaarts v.  Puerto Rico, 6 June 2025 PRE
GK Dylan Tevreden (2005-07-17) 17 July 2005 (age 20) 0 0 Unattached v.  Puerto Rico, 6 June 2025 PRE
GK Jahnilo Wiegel (2005-03-13) 13 March 2005 (age 20) 0 0 Belgium Jong Westerlo v.  Martinique, 25 March 2025
GK Joey Roggeveen (1998-03-20) 20 March 1998 (age 27) 1 0 Netherlands Noordwijk v.  Costa Rica, 11 October 2024 PRE
DF Navajo Bakboord (1999-01-29) 29 January 1999 (age 26) 7 0 Republic of Ireland Waterford v.  Puerto Rico, 6 June 2025 PRE
DF Silvinho Esajas (2002-07-08) 8 July 2002 (age 23) 1 0 Netherlands Volendam v.  Puerto Rico, 6 June 2025 PRE
DF Stefano Denswil (1993-05-07) 7 May 1993 (age 32) 10 0 Unattached v.  Canada, 19 November 2024
DF Kelvin Leerdam (1990-06-24) 24 June 1990 (age 35) 18 0 Unattached v.  Costa Rica, 11 October 2024 PRE
DF Damil Dankerlui (1996-08-24) 24 August 1996 (age 28) 11 0 Unattached v.  Costa Rica, 11 October 2024 PRE
DF Sean Klaiber (1994-07-31) 31 July 1994 (age 31) 3 0 Denmark Brøndby v.  Guyana, 5 September 2024
MF Roscello Vlijter (2000-01-01) 1 January 2000 (age 25) 13 0 Unattached v.  Martinique, 25 March 2025
MF Sergino Eduard (1994-09-04) 4 September 1994 (age 30) 29 1 Suriname Transvaal v.  Guadeloupe, 9 September 2024
MF Faustino Benali (1999-05-11) 11 May 1999 (age 26) 0 0 Suriname PVV v.  Guyana, 5 September 2024 PRE
FW Sheraldo Becker (1995-02-09) 9 February 1995 (age 30) 16 5 Spain Real Sociedad v.  Puerto Rico, 6 June 2025 INJ
FW Tyrone Conraad (1997-04-07) 7 April 1997 (age 28) 3 2 United Arab Emirates Sharjah v.  Puerto Rico, 6 June 2025 PRE
FW Lalanie Tooy (1999-04-01) 1 April 1999 (age 26) 0 0 Suriname Transvaal v.  Puerto Rico, 6 June 2025 PRE
FW Jeredy Hilterman (1998-06-20) 20 June 1998 (age 27) 8 2 Germany Arminia Bielefeld v.  Martinique, 21 March 2025 INJ
FW Dimitrie Apai (1994-07-19) 19 July 1994 (age 31) 30 5 Suriname Transvaal v.  Martinique, 21 March 2025 PRE
FW Delano Burgzorg (1998-11-07) 7 November 1998 (age 26) 0 0 England Middlesbrough v.  Martinique, 21 March 2025 PRE
FW Virgil Misidjan (1993-07-24) 24 July 1993 (age 32) 9 2 Netherlands NEC v.  Canada, 19 November 2024
FW Dylan Vente (1999-05-09) 9 May 1999 (age 26) 4 0 Netherlands Heerenveen v.  Canada, 19 November 2024
FW Leandro Kappel (1989-11-14) 14 November 1989 (age 35) 6 0 Unattached v.  Costa Rica, 11 October 2024 PRE

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

These tables show the players with the most games and most goals for Suriname. Players in bold are still playing for the team.

Most Appearances

Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1 Marlon Felter 48 6 2004–2011
2 Stefano Rijssel 36 14 2010–2019
3 Clifton Sandvliet 33 12 2000–2008
4 Gleofilo Vlijter 32 15 2015–present
5 Dimitrie Apai 30 5 2013–2022
Sergino Eduard 30 1 2013–2022
7 Germaine van Dijk 29 1 2006–2011
Shaquille Pinas 29 4 2021–present
9 Ronny Aloema 28 4 2008–2012
Dion Malone 28 0 2021–present

Top Goalscorers

Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Gleofilo Vlijter 15 32 0.47 2015–present
2 Stefano Rijssel 14 36 0.39 2010–2019
3 Clifton Sandvliet 12 33 0.36 2000–2008
4 Nigel Hasselbaink 8 9 0.89 2019–2021
Benny Kejansi 8 13 0.62 1996–2002
Ivenzo Comvalius 8 19 0.42 2018–2022
Wensley Christoph 8 25 0.32 2004–2010
8 Marlon Felter 6 48 0.13 2004–2011
9 Sheraldo Becker 5 16 0.31 2021–present
Giovanni Drenthe 5 17 0.29 2009–2012
Gordon Kinsaini 5 17 0.29 2001–2009
Dimitrie Apai 5 30 0.17 2013–2022

Team Records

Biggest Wins

  • Largest win overall: 9–0 against French Guiana on March 2, 1947.
  • Largest win in CONCACAF Nations League: 6–0 against Nicaragua on September 8, 2019.
  • Largest win in ABCS Tournament: 8–0 against Bonaire on July 13, 2012.

Highest Scoring Draws

  • Highest scoring draw overall: 3–3 against Aruba on August 29, 1953.
  • Highest scoring draw in CONCACAF Championship finals: 1–1 against Honduras on March 23, 1985.

Largest Defeats

  • Largest defeat overall: 9–2 against Netherlands on July 30, 1958.
  • Largest defeat in CONCACAF Championship finals: 8–1 against Mexico on October 15, 1977.

Team Honours

Regional Titles

  • CFU Championship
    • 1 Champions (1): 1978
    • 2 Runners-up (1): 1979

Friendly Tournament Wins

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

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Surinam para niños

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