Suriname to Compete in FIFA World Cup 2026 Play-Off Tournament in Mexico

Suriname Secures Play-Off Berth for FIFA World Cup 2026

Suriname has officially been confirmed as a participant in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Play-Off Tournament, offering the nation a final opportunity to qualify for the expanded global showpiece. The tournament, scheduled to be held in Mexico, will feature six teams competing for two coveted spots in the main event.

The South American nation will join Bolivia, Congo DR, Iraq, Jamaica, and New Caledonia in the high-stakes competition.

Tournament Details and Host Cities

The Play-Off Tournament is slated to run from March 23 to 31, 2026, with matches hosted in the Mexican cities of Guadalajara and Monterrey. The venues for these crucial encounters will be Estadio Akron in Guadalajara and Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, with each stadium hosting two fixtures. These cities are also set to host matches during the main FIFA World Cup 2026 tournament.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino remarked that 'These iconic stadiums are the perfect stages for what promises to be a thrilling event filled with passion, drama and excitement.'

Tournament Format and Suriname's Pathway

The tournament format involves six teams from five confederations battling for the final two qualification spots. The teams are split into two pathways. The four lowest-ranked nations in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking—Bolivia, Jamaica, New Caledonia, and Suriname—will compete in semi-finals. The two highest-ranked teams, Congo DR and Iraq, receive a bye directly into the finals of their respective pathways.

Suriname has been drawn to face Bolivia in a semi-final match. The winner of this encounter will then advance to face Iraq in a final, with the victor securing a place in the FIFA World Cup 2026.

How Suriname Qualified

Suriname earned its place in the Play-Off Tournament as one of the two best second-place teams from the Final Round of the Concacaf Qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Their qualification was dramatically secured with a late goal against Guatemala, despite a 3-1 loss, which ultimately eliminated Honduras and kept Suriname's World Cup dream alive. This followed a significant 4-0 victory over El Salvador in an earlier qualifying match.