El Salvador Faces Must-Win Match Against Historic Suriname

Paramaribo, Suriname — El Salvador‘s national football team, known as La Selecta, prepares for a crucial match against Suriname on November 13, 2025, as they fight for a spot in the 2026 World Cup during the CONCACAF qualifiers.

Coach Hernán Darío ‘El Bolillo’ Gómez leads the team into a pivotal game in Paramaribo after suffering three consecutive losses against Suriname, Panama, and Guatemala. With only three points in the standings, El Salvador must win both remaining matches to keep their hopes alive for a World Cup berth.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 4:30 PM ET and will be broadcast live in Spanish on various platforms. This encounter marks a tense moment for El Salvador, whose chances hinge on favorable results from their rivals as well.

Gómez’s roster combines experienced players and emerging talents, including goalkeeper Tomás Romero from NYCFC, midfielder Darwin Cerén from Águila, and forward Joshua Pérez from Odra Opole in Poland. Notably, Michell Mercado, a dual Colombian-Salvadoran citizen, could make his official debut for La Selecta.

The players arrived in Suriname after a stopover in Panama, indicating their determination to rectify this challenging campaign. Attendance for the match is expected to be high, as tickets sold out within 30 minutes, showcasing Suriname’s football enthusiasm.

Suriname, led by former Ajax goalkeeper Stanley Menzo, sits atop Group A, boasting a balanced mix of local talents and players with heritage linking to the Netherlands. Stars like Sheraldo Becker of Real Sociedad and Justin Lonwijk of Utrecht represent this resurgence in Surinamese football.

A victory for Suriname could bring them closer to achieving a historic qualification for the World Cup, making this match particularly crucial not just for El Salvador but for the entire Surinamese team as well. Both teams understand the stakes, knowing that only a win will keep their respective dreams alive.

The final standings will be determined during the concluding matches on November 18 when El Salvador will face Panama and Suriname will visit Guatemala.