Zurich and Paramaribo, 26 November 2025 – The Suriname Major League (SML), Suriname’s top football division, has officially joined the World Leagues Association (WLA) as a member.
The SML was founded in 2024 and runs the highest level of football competition in Suriname. As the newly established professional league, the SML represents a major step forward in the organisation and development of elite football in the country. The league’s creation marked an important milestone in the modernisation of Surinamese football, bringing enhanced governance, improved competition standards and a stronger platform for talent development.
Despite its young age, the SML is designed with long-term growth in mind. Its mission is to raise the sporting level of the game in Suriname while strengthening commercial visibility, fan engagement and the overall professional environment for clubs and players. The league also aims to implement initiatives promoting youth pathways, integrity in sport and broader community outreach.
Through this membership, the SML and the World Leagues Association will exchange knowledge and best practices with professional leagues worldwide, contributing to the collective expertise of the global league community. As part of the WLA, the SML will participate in discussions on key industry topics while bringing its unique perspective as a rapidly developing league in the CONCACAF region, fostering mutual learning and collaboration.
The membership was signed by Richard Masters, WLA Chair and Rolf Verwey, President of SML during the Annual Meeting of the World Leagues Association held in Athens on 14 November 2025.
Rolf Verwey, President of the Suriname Major League, said:
“Joining the World Leagues Association is an important milestone for Surinamese football. The Suriname Major League reflects our ambition to build a sustainable professional competition that supports clubs, develops players and enhances the experience for fans. Being part of the WLA family gives us access to invaluable expertise and international cooperation as we continue to grow.”
Richard Masters, Chair of the World Leagues Association, said:
“We are delighted to welcome the Suriname Major League as a new member of the World Leagues Association. The creation of the SML is a decisive step in the professionalisation of football in Suriname, and we look forward to collaborating closely with its leadership to support the league’s development, growth and long-term success.”
