Goalkeeper Mannou Berger will not play for Suriname’s national team for the time being. The 22-year-old Feyenoord Under-21 goalkeeper had been called up for the first time by national coach Henk Fraser for the friendly international against Lithuania, but will not join the squad due to uncertainty over his nationality status.
Berger currently holds only Dutch nationality. Obtaining Surinamese nationality could potentially have consequences for retaining his Dutch nationality. This could also put his residency and employment rights in the Netherlands at risk. In consultation with, among others, Feyenoord, it was therefore decided not to take any risks for the time being.
New legislation does not yet offer complete certainty
Suriname amended its nationality legislation in September 2026 to make it easier for footballers from the diaspora to obtain Surinamese nationality. The legislative amendment is intended to provide a solution for players with Surinamese roots who want to represent the national team.
However, on the Dutch side, there is still uncertainty about the possible consequences of obtaining Surinamese nationality. The amended Surinamese legislation therefore does not automatically guarantee players that they can retain their Dutch nationality.
Suriname debut postponed
Remarkably, the match against Lithuania is a friendly international. Under FIFA rules, participation in such a match does not automatically mean that a player is permanently tied to a national team. However, this does not remove the potential nationality-law consequences.
To avoid legal and administrative complications, it has been decided that Berger will remain at Feyenoord in Rotterdam for the time being. His possible debut for Suriname will therefore have to wait.
