Suriname

2025 will be Suriname’s second appearance at the Gold Cup having made their debut in in 2021 where they failed to get out of the group stage.

The Dutch-speaking nation that is considered part of the Caribbean and West Indies but is located on the continent of South America has forced its way into Concacaf recognition following a series of strong Nations League performances.

Qualifying for the play-offs as one of the Nations League A quarter final losers, Suriname they defeated Martinique twice by 1-0 scores to qualify for the finals.

They have been drawn in a group with Gold Cup royalty Mexico who they will play for the first time in the competition.

Realistically Suriname will be looking to beat Dominican Republic and spring a surprise on Costa Rica. With a team drawn from throughout Europe’s leagues (just two squad players come from Suriname’s Robinhood club), there is the experience and resilience to provide that surprise.

Suriname is a nation that had not played a huge amount of international football before the Concacaf began its Nations League competition. Since then Suriname has gone from strength to strength and has qualified for the last 12 of World Cup 2026 qualifying.

Head Coach

Stanley Menzo is a Dutch player who spent ten seasons at Ajax appearing in more than 300 matches with the club and winning nine major titles. He played for the Netherlands in one World Cup and one European Championship.

In the summer of 2004, he joined former Ajax teammate Marco van Basten in Suriname as the country’s goalkeeping coach, where he remained there for two years. He returned in 2024 as head coach and began masterminding

Star player

Gleofilo Vlijter is Suriname’s all-time top scorer with 15 goals in 28 caps as of March 2025 and plays his club football at OFK Beograd (Serbian SuperLiga).

He made his international senior debut for Suriname at age 15 in 2015. In the 2019–20 Concacaf Nations League he won the Golden Boot, scoring 10 goals in 6 matches. In 2021 he scored Suriname’s first-ever Gold Cup goal in a match against Costa Rica.

A left-footed striker known for his finishing, movement, and ability to score in various leagues he has proven himself a reliable goal scorer for both club and country. His ability to get on the scoresheet should not be underestimated by opponents.

Schedule

June 15 vs Costa Rica, Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego. 8pm KO

June 18 vs Mexico, AT&T Stadium, Arlington, 6pm KO

June 22 vs Dominican Republic, AT&T Stadium, Arlington, 9pm KO

Squad: