Suriname vs Bolivia: World Cup Play-off Showdown

Suriname manager Henk ten Cate guides his team during a 2023 training session, where he served as an assistant coach

Suriname takes on Bolivia in the intercontinental play-off for a spot in the FIFA World Cup on March 26th. Can Henk ten Cate's team make history?

“I have great assistants. I also think the rest of the staff is of a very high calibre...”

Suriname is gearing up for their intercontinental play-off against Bolivia, and manager Henk ten Cate is feeling optimistic about making history. “I firmly believe in our chances,” he said, aiming for a first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance.

The South American nation had a setback in their CONCACAF qualifier campaign, losing 3-1 to Guatemala, which led to the resignation of former manager Stanley Menzo citing “personal reasons.” Now, Ten Cate is focused on turning things around.

Henk ten Cate's latest managerial gig is a bit of a homecoming - he's now in charge of Suriname, the country his parents left to raise him in Amsterdam. The former Ajax manager took over from Stanley Menzo, who's also a big name in Suriname, having played for the national team.

“My mother was born there (in Suriname), and I have a lot of family there. As a child, I grew up in a typical Surinamese family in Amsterdam, with all the norms and values that go with it,“ Ten Cate told Algemeen Dagblad. “Combined with Dutch culture, I think I've made a nice mix for myself.”

Henk ten Cate, 72, got the nod from the Surinamese FA (SVB) after Stanley Menzo stepped down, and he's confident in his decision to take on the role. “I made an informed decision,” he said, embracing the challenge of leading the country his parents called home.

“First, by calling Stanley Menzo himself. That was a very good conversation. Then I wanted to get a clear picture of the possibilities: I wanted to be able to put together a strong staff. I succeeded in doing that - with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Winston Bogarde, among others, I have great assistants. I also think the rest of the staff is of a very high calibre.”

Suriname's Leo Abena looks dejected after their loss to Guatemala back in November

Suriname Aims for World Cup History via Intercontinental Play-offs

Suriname's got a shot at history - they can still make their first-ever FIFA World Cup finals via the intercontinental play-offs in March. And manager Henk ten Cate thinks Mexico City, where they'll face Bolivia, is a good draw. “It's a favourable location,“ he said, sounding optimistic.

“It means we don't have to play at altitude in Bolivia. I firmly believe in our chances. Otherwise, I wouldn't have taken on the job.“

It still won't be easy for Suriname: “Because many of our players are still playing for their clubs on the Sunday before, they can't fly to Mexico until Monday. In addition, given the time difference, we will have to acclimatise, which means we will only have two real training days. Still, I am optimistic. I am in contact with my assistants almost every day via video calls. I have also spoken extensively with many of the players.“

“They (Bolivia) are quite strong at home, where they have beaten Brazil, for example. But they don't win very often in away matches,” Ten Cate added.

Henk ten Cate isn't complaining about skipping La Paz - he recalls Suriname's tough conditions in their last qualifier against Guatemala. Playing Bolivia in Mexico City's a better deal, he thinks.

“The accommodations there were apparently ter-ri-ble, especially the training and games pitches, which were in very poor condition,” Ten Cate said about Guatemala.

“The lighting was inadequate, and on top of that, the matches had to be played at high altitude. Those people did everything they could to make life difficult for Suriname. The altitude also proved to be a real problem during the matches themselves: many of the players were already short of breath after twenty minutes.”

Suriname's Dutch Connection Boosts World Cup Hopes

Suriname, like Curaçao, relies heavily on Dutch players, leveraging their strong football ties. Henk ten Cate is naturalizing Dutch players to strengthen the team, currently finalizing two key names. This strategy aims to boost Suriname's chances in the World Cup intercontinental play-offs against Bolivia.

“We are currently awaiting the outcome of the case involving Danilho Doekhi of Union Berlin. He is eager to join us, but FIFA must approve because he previously played for the Dutch youth teams. We have therefore taken the matter to the CAS, but hopefully we will be able to reach a solution sooner. Javairo Dilrosun is also very keen to join us. When he was about eighteen, he played once as a substitute for the Dutch national team. Hopefully, we'll get him on board, too.”

Henk ten Cate has his sights set on Crysencio Summerville, the West Ham hotshot who's yet to decide between Suriname and the Netherlands. With his current form, Summerville's likely to get a call-up from Netherlands' Ronald Koeman, but Ten Cate is quietly confident he can win him over.

Henk ten Cate is eyeing West Ham's Crysencio Summerville for Suriname, hoping to secure the talented winger for the national team

"I understand that too. It's not just Summerville, but many lads who are now roughly between 22 and 24 years old who are weighing up this decision. In terms of salary alone, it can make a big difference if you have ‘Netherlands’ after your name. Crysencio is playing excellently at the moment, but I am not responsible for selecting the Dutch squad; that is up to Ronald. We will have to wait and see: if we qualify for the World Cup, that may open new doors.”

 

𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠!🚨

Surinaamse Voetbal Bond (SVB) kondigt met gepaste trots aan dat er overeenstemming is bereikt met Henk Ten Cate als nieuwe bondscoach van de nationale herenselectie.#officialsvb #officialnatio #kasekoboys pic.twitter.com/CRKIjWO7dB

— OfficialNatio (@OfficialNatio_) December 13, 2025

Ten Cate's World Cup Plans

Henk ten Cate was set to attend the World Cup as a tourist if Suriname's bid didn't pan out. The 72-year-old had a quiet 2023 as Aron Winter's assistant, and his last full-time gig was a six-month stint at Al-Wahda in 2021. Now, he's got a different plan - taking Suriname to the World Cup.

Suriname's got a big match coming up against Bolivia on March 26th in the intercontinental play-off for the FIFA World Cup. If they win, they'll face Iraq in the final on March 31st, with a spot in the World Cup on the line.

The match is happening in Mexico City, at the Estadio BBVA, and Suriname's manager Henk ten Cate is feeling optimistic about their chances. Bolivia, on the other hand, is looking for redemption after missing out on direct qualification.

“If Suriname had achieved a result in that last match against Guatemala, I would have simply gone to America as a tourist. As a supporter of Suriname and the Dutch national team.”

Suriname takes on Bolivia in the FIFA World Cup intercontinental play-off on March 26th. A win would pit them against Iraq in the final playoff match for a World Cup spot.