PARAMARIBO, Suriname, CMC—The Surinamese Football Association (SVB) is pleading with the government to provide assistance to the national team as it faces a financial crisis.
During a recent press conference, SVG chairman John Krishnadath revealed that the association needed over US$1.5 million to allow the national team to participate in international matches this year.
Additionally, he explained that if the team were to qualify for the World Cup in North America in 2026, the deficit would be US$5.2 million.
To this end, Krishnadath has appealed to the government for the third time to prevent the country from losing face and keep Suriname’s dream of one day participating in the World Championships (WC) alive.
“In 2026, if we qualify for that World Cup, we estimate that for the first half year of matches you will have to play here and there, you will lose approximately US$6 million.
“Not participating means losing face (not being able to participate due to lack of money), fines, and a “shattered dream of playing at the World Cup,” Krishnadath said.
He indicated that he had spoken to President Chan Santokhi on December 23 about the problem and a possible solution. While shortfalls are nothing new, Krishnadath said the gaps in 2025 and 2026 were simply too big for the SVB to fill on its own.
He said ‘Natio’ (the national team’s nickname) needed to participate in three upcoming Gold Cup matches and four preliminary rounds to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
The costs are estimated at US$2,180,468. While the SVB and FIFA can provide US$500,000, and Concacaf will assist with US$195,000, there is still a shortfall of US$1,485 468.
Krishnadath has called on the government to contribute the estimated deficit to the budget as a national project.
“Recognize Natio, seniors A-selection, as a national project. Embrace it. Adopt it. Fund that deficit. We can pay for two more windows. After that, no more,” Krishnadath stressed.
“There are different ways to fund it. You can tell me you’ll pay for the charters and hotel costs. But remember that hotels and charters must be paid in advance. Pay for them for us. You can pay it directly; you don’t have to deposit it for us.”
During the press conference, it was explained that the national selection’s operations have always been funded from its own revenues (renting out buildings and stadiums, among other things), sponsorship, FIFA funds, and the SVB WC Account (a savings pot of the SVB specifically for WC activities).
Krishnadath disclosed that the association was exploring ways to raise funds, including adjusting competitions and negotiating with FIFA.
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