Surinam and Panama Kick Off World Cup Qualifiers Against Guatemala’s Rivals

PARAMARIBO, Suriname — The World Cup 2026 qualifiers begin today with an unprecedented match between Surinam and Panama at 3:30 p.m. local time. This historic encounter at the Dr. Franklin Essed Stadium marks the first official meeting between the two teams, adding excitement to the start of the qualifying round.

Panama’s coach Thomas Christiansen recently stated that Surinam will be a tough opponent, especially considering their strong performance in the Gold Cup and previous matches against Costa Rica and Canada. He emphasized that his team has taken ample time to analyze Surinam’s play, highlighting several players on the rival squad who compete in European leagues.

Arriving as one of the favorites for direct World Cup qualification, Panama heads into the match after finishing as the unbeaten leader of their group in the second round. The team secured four victories, with a total of 12 points and no goals conceded away, showcasing their solid performance.

Meanwhile, Surinam is also unbeaten and aims to continue its successful run. Located in northern South America, Surinam topped their previous group with three wins and a draw, demonstrating offensive talent and determination, particularly during games played on foreign soil.