Dhoraso Klas starred with a match-winning strike in the 81st minute as Suriname posted a shocking 2-1 win over El Salvador Monday night, ending their 57-year-old agony against the Salvadorans. Suriname's last and only victory came over El Salvador way back in December 1968 which also happened to be a qualifier for the 1970 Mexico World Cup.
Suriname, which still hasn't qualified in a World Cup final, displaced Group A toppers El Salvador in the final round of CONCACAF (North American) World Cup qualifying. In the night's other Group A match, host Panama and Guatemala played out a 1-1 draw, leaving both without a win after two of six group matches.
After a scoreless draw against Panama in the opener, Suriname ended an eight-match winless run against El Salvador, climbing to four points. El Salvador, meanwhile, remained on three following their 1-0 opening win over Guatemala. Despite losing the game, El Salvador still leads the all-time series with Suriname 8-2 with one drawn game which took place earlier this year.
Radinio Balker, a Dutch-born defender who plays for Huddersfield Town in England, gave Suriname early lead with a fine header in the 12th minute of the game. It took El Salvador just a minute over an hour to get an equaliser and it came through a Suriname defender Anfernee Dijksteel's own goal in the 73rd minute.
The match was tantalisingly poised until Klas came up with a thundering shot, from the right side, to strike the match-winning goal nine minutes before the stipulated time.
CONCACAF’s final round of qualifying format was changed this year, with Mexico, Canada, and the United States already assured spots as 2026 World Cup co-hosts. The remaining 12 teams were split into three groups of four, playing round-robin matches through November. Group winners will qualify directly for the World Cup, while the two best runners-up will move on to intercontinental playoffs.
QUALIFYING STRUCTURE OF 2026 World Cup
Asia will have eight direct World Cup spots, with an additional place available via the intercontinental playoff. Africa gets nine direct berths plus one more through the intercontinental playoff.
North and Central America and the Caribbean are allocated three direct spots - alongside the three host nations - and two additional spots in the intercontinental playoffs. South America has six direct qualifiers and one more slot in the intercontinental playoff.
For the first time, Oceania has a guaranteed spot, with New Zealand securing qualification in March; the region could add another via the intercontinental playoff if New Caledonia advances.
Europe will see 16 teams automatically qualified for the tournament.
WHO HAS QUALIFIED FOR THE 2026 WORLD CUP?
A record 48 teams will take part in the next year's World Cup co-hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada. A total of 43 teams will seal their berths through continental qualifiers. Two more teams will secure their places in the intercontinental playoffs, scheduled for March 2026 featuring six teams. The three host countries get automatic qualification.
United States, Mexico, Canada (qualified as hosts)
Africa
Asia
Oceania
South America
Add Now!
Suriname, which still hasn't qualified in a World Cup final, displaced Group A toppers El Salvador in the final round of CONCACAF (North American) World Cup qualifying. In the night's other Group A match, host Panama and Guatemala played out a 1-1 draw, leaving both without a win after two of six group matches.
After a scoreless draw against Panama in the opener, Suriname ended an eight-match winless run against El Salvador, climbing to four points. El Salvador, meanwhile, remained on three following their 1-0 opening win over Guatemala. Despite losing the game, El Salvador still leads the all-time series with Suriname 8-2 with one drawn game which took place earlier this year.
Radinio Balker, a Dutch-born defender who plays for Huddersfield Town in England, gave Suriname early lead with a fine header in the 12th minute of the game. It took El Salvador just a minute over an hour to get an equaliser and it came through a Suriname defender Anfernee Dijksteel's own goal in the 73rd minute.
The match was tantalisingly poised until Klas came up with a thundering shot, from the right side, to strike the match-winning goal nine minutes before the stipulated time.
CONCACAF’s final round of qualifying format was changed this year, with Mexico, Canada, and the United States already assured spots as 2026 World Cup co-hosts. The remaining 12 teams were split into three groups of four, playing round-robin matches through November. Group winners will qualify directly for the World Cup, while the two best runners-up will move on to intercontinental playoffs.
QUALIFYING STRUCTURE OF 2026 World Cup
Asia will have eight direct World Cup spots, with an additional place available via the intercontinental playoff. Africa gets nine direct berths plus one more through the intercontinental playoff.
North and Central America and the Caribbean are allocated three direct spots - alongside the three host nations - and two additional spots in the intercontinental playoffs. South America has six direct qualifiers and one more slot in the intercontinental playoff.
For the first time, Oceania has a guaranteed spot, with New Zealand securing qualification in March; the region could add another via the intercontinental playoff if New Caledonia advances.
Europe will see 16 teams automatically qualified for the tournament.
WHO HAS QUALIFIED FOR THE 2026 WORLD CUP?
A record 48 teams will take part in the next year's World Cup co-hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada. A total of 43 teams will seal their berths through continental qualifiers. Two more teams will secure their places in the intercontinental playoffs, scheduled for March 2026 featuring six teams. The three host countries get automatic qualification.
United States, Mexico, Canada (qualified as hosts)
Africa
- Morocco (qualified on Sept. 5)
- Tunisia (qualified on Sept. 8)
Asia
- Japan (qualified on March 20)
- Iran (qualified on March 25)
- Jordan (qualified on June 5)
- South Korea (qualified on June 5)
- Uzbekistan (qualified on June 5)
- Australia (qualified on June 10)
Oceania
- New Zealand (qualified on March 24)
South America
Add 
as a Reliable and Trusted News Source
as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now!
- Argentina (qualified on March 25)
- Brazil (qualified on June 10)
- Ecuador (qualified on June 10)
- Uruguay (qualified on Sept. 4)
- Colombia (qualified on Sept. 4)
- Paraguay (qualified on Sept. 4)
