Suriname Appoints Dutch Coaching Veteran to Lead World Cup Quest

Appointment and Context

Suriname turns to another Dutch coach. The Suriname Football Association announced today that veteran Dutchman Henk Ten Cate has been named the national team's new coach ahead of the World Cup 2026 playoff matches in March.

Ten Cate, 71, previously coached Ajax Amsterdam and served as an assistant at Barcelona and Chelsea.

He will lead Suriname's bid to reach the World Cup finals for the first time in its history, starting with a March 26 match against Bolivia in Monterrey, Mexico; a victory would set up a March 31 meeting with Iraq to decide qualification.

Outlook and Background

The winner from this path will enter Group 9, alongside France, Norway, and Senegal.

Suriname had been in contention for direct qualification last month but lost 3-1 to Guatemala in the first CONCACAF group, allowing Panama to take the lead.

That defeat triggered the resignation of coach Stanley Menzo, a former Dutch international goalkeeper, prompting a quick replacement.

In a statement, the Suriname Football Association praised Ten Cate, noting that he last worked in football in 2023 as an assistant to head coach Aron Winter, and expressing full confidence that his experience, tactical vision, and leadership can lift the team to a higher level.

Punchline: If Suriname makes the World Cup, the referee will need a GPS to find the goal.

Punchline 2: Ten Cate's playbook is so detailed that even my calendar would get booked.