Guatemala vs Suriname — Match Preview
Suriname is 90 minutes away from history. They travel to Guatemala City for their final group match in the driver’s seat for a spot at the 2026 World Cup. Led by their heroic captain, Tjaronn Chery, Suriname sits 1st in the group (9 pts, +5 GD), just ahead of Panama (9 pts, +2 GD). The maths is simple: a win for Suriname guarantees their first-ever World Cup appearance.
This is a match of polar-opposite momentums. Suriname is flying high, coming off a “perfect” 4-0 thrashing of El Salvador where Chery scored twice.
Guatemala, meanwhile, is playing for pride in front of a heartbroken home crowd. Their dream ended just days ago in a gut-wrenching 3-2 loss to Panama. Now officially eliminated, Los Chapines have one final, painful job: to act as “spoilers” and prevent Suriname from celebrating on their home turf at the Estadio Doroteo Guamuch Flores.
Guatemala vs Suriname — Quick Match Info
- Fixture: Guatemala vs. Suriname
- Competition: CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers (Third Round, Group A)
- Venue: Estadio Doroteo Guamuch Flores, Guatemala City
- Date: 19 November 2025
- Time: 01:00 UTC (20 Nov) / 06:30 IST (20 Nov)
- Prediction: Guatemala 1-2 Suriname
- Key Narrative: Suriname needs one win to make history and qualify for the World Cup. Guatemala is already eliminated and playing only for pride.
Guatemala vs Suriname — What’s at Stake
- For Guatemala: Only pride. They are mathematically eliminated. After a painful campaign, this is their last chance to give their passionate home fans a single positive result and prove they can compete with the group leaders.
- For Suriname: Everything. A win sends them to the World Cup. A draw might be enough, but it would require Panama to also draw or lose. They control their own destiny, and they are not just playing for a draw; they are playing for the win that makes them legends.
Guatemala vs Suriname — Team Form
Guatemala (Last 5 Qualifiers): L-L-W-D-L
- Eliminated. Their form has collapsed at the end.
- Just lost a crushing 3-2 match to Panama.
- Lost the reverse fixture 1-0 to Suriname in October.
- Their only win in the group was against the last-place team, El Salvador.
Suriname (Last 5 Qualifiers): W-D-W-D-W
- Red hot and Unbeaten. They are the undefeated leaders of the group.
- Coming off a massive, confident 4-0 victory over El Salvador.
- They have shown they can win tough games (1-0 vs. Guatemala) and win big (4-0 vs. El Salvador).
Guatemala vs Suriname — Team News
Guatemala — Team News
- THE HANGOVER: There are no major injuries, but the team is “psychologically” damaged after their 3-2 loss to Panama. The manager may rotate the squad to give younger, hungrier players a chance.
- KEY PLAYER: Oscar Santis (FW) remains their most creative and dangerous player.
Suriname — Team News
- FULL STRENGTH: Suriname reports a fully fit squad, with no suspensions.
- IN FORM: Captain Tjaronn Chery (MID) is in the form of his life, having scored twice in the 4-0 win. Strikers Gleofilo Vlijter and Jeredy Hilterman are also fit and ready.
- IMPACT: They are at full strength, full of confidence, and ready to attack.
Guatemala vs Suriname — Predicted Lineups
Guatemala (4-4-2)
- GK: Hagen
- DEF: Arreola, Pinto, Samayoa, Morales
- MID: Castellanos, Saravia, Santis, Galindo
- FW: Rubin, Garcia(Note: Expect a lineup motivated by pride, but they may be rotated).
Suriname (4-3-3)
- GK: Hahn
- DEF: Leerdam, Pinas, Malone, Haps
- MID: Chery, R. Bazoer, V. Bazoer
- FW: Vlijter, Becker, Jozefzoon(Note: This is the aggressive, technical lineup that beat El Salvador 4-0).
Guatemala vs Suriname — Spotlight Players
- Tjaronn Chery (Suriname): The captain, the leader, the hero. The 37-year-old is playing the best football of his career and is on a personal mission to drag his nation to the World Cup. He is the man who will control the game.
- Gleofilo Vlijter (Suriname): The primary goal threat. His pace and direct running will be a nightmare for a Guatemalan defence that has nothing but pride to play for.
- Oscar Santis (Guatemala): Their most dynamic attacker. He is the one player who can create a goal out of nothing for the home side. He will be playing to give the fans one last moment of joy.
Guatemala vs Suriname — Head to Head
Suriname has a clear psychological edge in this rivalry, having dominated the recent meetings.
- Oct 14, 2025: Suriname 1–0 Guatemala
- Oct 11, 2021: Guatemala 1–1 Suriname
- Sep 5, 2019: Suriname 2–1 Guatemala
- Suriname is unbeaten in their last 3 matches against Guatemala (2 Wins, 1 Draw).
Guatemala vs Suriname — Tactical Outlook
Guatemala Tactical Approach
- Playing for Pride: With no pressure, manager Luis Fernando Tena may instruct his team to play a more open, attacking game for the home fans.
- The “Spoiler” Role: Their main motivation will be to be physical, disrupt Suriname’s rhythm, and prevent them from celebrating in their stadium.
- Weakness: Morale is at an all-time low. If they concede first, the team could collapse.
Suriname Tactical Approach
- Confident 4-3-3: They will not “park the bus” or play for a draw. They are in form, their attack is firing, and they know a win guarantees their spot.
- Chery in Control: Expect them to play their Dutch-influenced, technical style, with everything flowing through their captain, Tjaronn Chery, in midfield.
- Attack is the Best Defence: They know Panama is hunting for goals, so their best strategy is to score 1-2 goals early and put all the pressure back on Panama.
Guatemala vs Suriname — Key Battles
| Matchup | Battle Type | Edge |
| Tjaronn Chery vs. Guatemala’s Midfield | Technical Control vs. Pride | Suriname |
| Gleofilo Vlijter vs. Guatemala’s CBs | Pace vs. Motivation | Suriname |
| Oscar Santis vs. Suriname’s Defence | Creativity vs. Organisation | Even |
| Suriname’s Nerves vs. History | Psychological | Suriname |
Guatemala vs Suriname — Statistical Snapshot
| Metric | Guatemala | Suriname |
| Group Position | 3rd (6 pts, +1 GD) | 1st (9 pts, +5 GD) |
| Status | ELIMINATED | Fighting for 1st |
| Goals For / Conceded | 8 GF / 7 GA | 9 GF / 4 GA |
| H2H (Last 3) | 0 Wins, 1 Draw, 2 Losses | 2 Wins, 1 Draw, 0 Losses |
| Last Match | 3-2 Loss vs. Panama | 4-0 Win vs. El Salvador |
Guatemala vs Suriname — Fan Reactions
Guatemala Fans:
- “We’re out. This is painful. At least spoil the party for Suriname.”
- “Don’t let them celebrate in our stadium! Play for the shirt, for honor!”
- “The 3-2 loss to Panama was the end. This match is just a formality.”
Suriname Fans:
- “THIS IS IT! 90 MINUTES FROM THE WORLD CUP! I CAN’T BREATHE!”
- “We just need one more win! Chery is our king! Let’s finish the job!”
- “Don’t get complacent. Guatemala has nothing to lose. We must be professional and win.”
Guatemala vs Suriname — Where to Watch
- USA: Paramount+, Fubo, Universo
- UK: CONCACAF YouTube (TBC)
- India: (No confirmed broadcast, likely not available)
- Guatemala: Tigo Sports
- Suriname: (TBC)
Guatemala vs Suriname — Match-Defining Factors
- Motivation: This is the biggest mismatch. Suriname is playing for their single greatest sporting achievement. Guatemala is playing to end a failed campaign. The difference in desire will be massive.
- Tjaronn Chery: The 37-year-old captain is in the form of his life. A deflated Guatemalan midfield will struggle to contain him.
- The First Goal: If Suriname scores early, the match is over. Guatemala will likely collapse. If Guatemala holds them to 0-0 at halftime, the nerves might start to set in for Suriname.
- The H2H Psychological Edge: Suriname has already beaten Guatemala 1-0 in this campaign. They know they can do it again.
Guatemala vs Suriname — Prediction
Guatemala 1–2 Suriname
Why:
This match will be decided by one thing: motivation. Suriname is playing for history. Guatemala is playing for pride, but their morale is shattered. Suriname is in red-hot form, has the best player on the pitch (Chery), and has already beaten this exact opponent.
Guatemala will put up a fight for their home fans—they may even score—but Suriname simply wants it more. They will not be denied.
Guatemala vs Suriname — Final Word
This is a script from a movie. A tiny nation, led by its veteran captain, is on the brink of a miracle. The only thing standing in their way is a heartbroken, eliminated rival. History is calling for Suriname.
Guatemala vs Suriname — FAQs
Q1: What time is the match?
06:30 AM IST on Thursday, November 20, 2025.
Q2: What does Suriname need to qualify for the World Cup?
A win guarantees their spot. A draw is also likely enough (if Panama fails to win or make up a large goal difference).
Q3: Is Guatemala eliminated?
Yes. They are in 3rd place and cannot qualify.
Q4: Who is the star player?
For Suriname, it is their captain, Tjaronn Chery. For Guatemala, it is their attacker, Oscar Santis.
Q5: Who won the last match between them?
Suriname beat Guatemala 1-0 in October 2025.
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