Belize national football team

The Belize national football team represents Belize in international football and is controlled by the Football Federation of Belize, a member of the Central American Football Union of CONCACAF.

Belize
Nickname(s)The Jaguars
The Unbelizeables
AssociationFootball Federation of Belize (FFB)
ConfederationCONCACAF (North America)
Sub-confederationUNCAF (Central America)
Head coachDavid Pérez Asensio
CaptainEvral Trapp
Most capsDeon McCaulay (63)
Top scorerDeon McCaulay (28)
Home stadiumFFB Stadium
FIFA codeBLZ
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 184 2 (20 June 2024)[1]
Highest114 (April–June 2016)
Lowest201 (November 2007 – January 2008)
First international
 British Honduras 1–0 Honduras 
(British Honduras; 19 February 1928)
as Belize
 El Salvador 3–0 Belize 
(San Salvador, El Salvador; 29 November 1995)
Biggest win
 Belize 7–1 Nicaragua 
(Belize City, Belize; 17 April 2002)
Biggest defeat
 Costa Rica 7–0 Belize 
(San José, Costa Rica; 17 March 1999)
 Mexico 7–0 Belize 
(Monterrey, Mexico; 21 June 2008)
Gold Cup
Appearances1 (first in 2013)
Best resultGroup stage (2013)

Although Belize has never qualified for a FIFA World Cup tournament, it has once qualified for a CONCACAF Gold Cup championship in 2013, in which they were eliminated in the group stage. Belize has also competed in the sub-regional Central American Cup championship in which their best result was fourth place in 2013. The nickname for the players of the national team is the "Jaguars".

History

Overview

Named British Honduras whilst under British colonial rule, the country's first international game came on February 19, 1928, beating Honduras 1–0. Following independence, Belize's first game came on December 8, 1983, in a 2–0 loss against Canada in Belize.[2] Although Belize gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1981 (and many of the UK's current colonies have international teams), Belize did not begin to regularly play international football until 1995. It made its debut at the 1995 UNCAF Nations Cup and was eliminated in the first round after losing to El Salvador and Costa Rica.

Belize has never qualified for the World Cup but finished fourth in the 2013 Copa Centroamericana. Their fourth-place finish in the 2013 Copa Centroamericana gave Belize its first qualification to a major international competition, that being the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

June 2011 suspension by FIFA

On June 15, 2011, Belize kicked off its 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign against minnows Montserrat, winning 2–5 away in a match played in the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva, Trinidad. However, the return which was scheduled for June 19 was postponed by FIFA when they suspended the FFB due to governmental interference.[3]

Team image

In February 2023 the Football Federation of Belize unveiled a new logo that would represent Belize’s national teams. Created by Rolando Ramirez, the new logo prominently features a Jaguar, the nickname of the team. The FFB hoped that the new image would promote unity and pride in the Belize football community.[4]

Stadium

FFB Stadium in Belmopan is the home stadium for the Belize national football team. Prior to this stadium, Belize had no facilities that met FIFA specifications. Apart from this Belize has many fields to play on but with no facilities for the players.

Results and fixtures

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2023

8 September 2023–24 Nations League Belize  1–2  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Fort-de-France, Martinique
16:00 UTC−4
  • Mensah 18'
Report
Stadium: Stade Pierre-Aliker
Referee: Oliver Vergara (Panama)
12 September 2023–24 Nations League French Guiana  0–2  Belize Remire-Montjoly, French Guiana
16:30 UTC−3 Report
Stadium: Stade Municipal Dr. Edmard Lama
Referee: Hakeem Harvey (Saint Kitts and Nevis)
13 October 2023–24 Nations League Belize  0–1  Bermuda Belmopan, Belize
20:00 UTC−6 Report Stadium: FFB Stadium
Referee: Juan Gabriel Calderón (Costa Rica)
17 October 2023–24 Nations League Bermuda  1–1  Belize Devonshire Parish, Bermuda
19:30 UTC−3 Report
Stadium: Dame Flora Duffy National Sports Centre
Referee: David Gómez (Costa Rica)
17 November 2023–24 Nations League Belize  1–0  French Guiana Belmopan, Belize
20:00 UTC−6
Report Stadium: FFB Stadium
Referee: Jefferson Escobar (Honduras)

2024

21 March Friendly Belize  1–1  Puerto Rico Belmopan, Belize
19:30 UTC−6 Report
Stadium: FFB Stadium
24 March Friendly Belize  3–0  Puerto Rico Belmopan, Belize
18:00 UTC−6
Report Stadium: FFB Stadium
8 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Belize  0–4  Nicaragua Belmopan, Belize
20:00 UTC−6 Report
Stadium: FFB Field
Referee: Bryan López (Guatemala)
11 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Guyana  3–1  Belize Wildey, Barbados
18:00 UTC−4
Report Stadium: Wildey Turf
Referee: Reon Radix (Grenada)

2025

Coaching staff

Name Nat Position
David Perez Asensio Head coach
Philip Marin Technical director
Jack Striders Technical director
Carlos Slusher Assistant Head coach
Peter Jones Assistant Head coach
Kent Gabourel Sr. Goalkeeping coach
Shaun Woodmac Physical Trainer
Thomas Rivars Physiotherapist

Coaching history

Since the creation of the national team in 1995, several coaches have been in charge of managing Belize. From 1995 to 1996, Winston Michael was appointed as Belize's first ever manager. As of January 2012, the Belize national football team has had 11 managers.

Manager Period in charge Played Won Drawn Lost Win %
Winston Michael 1995–1996 4004000.0
Manuel Bilches 1999–2000 6015000.0
Leroy Sherrier Lewis 2001 5311060.0
Eduardo Santana 2003 0000!
Anthony Adderly 2003–2006 5005000.0
Antonio Carlos Vieira 2006–2007 3003000.0
Palmiro Salas 2008 2101050.0
Ian Mork 2008 4013000.0
Renan Couoh 2008–2009 3012000.0
José de la Paz Herrera 2010–2012 7223028.6
Leroy Sherrier Lewis 2012–2013 5113020.0
Charlie Slusher 2013 1010000.0
Ian Mork 2013–2014 4013000.0
Leroy Sherrier Lewis 2014–2015 3003000.0
Jorge Nunez 2015–2016 4220050.0
Richard Orlowski 2016–2018 5014000.0
Palmiro Salas 2018–2019 6312050.0
Vincenzo Alberto Annese 2019–2020 6213033.3
Dale Pelayo Sr. 2020–2021 3102033.3
David Perez Asensio 2022– 173410017.6

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2023–24 CONCACAF Nations matches against French Guiana and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on 16 and 20 November 2023.[5]

Caps and goals correct as of 17 October 2023, after the match against  Bermuda.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Charles Tillett (2001-07-29) 29 July 2001 12 0 Progresso
1GK Luisito Cunil (1989-11-01) 1 November 1989 0 0 Progresso
1GK Mateo Can 0 0 Benque D.C. United

2DF Evral Trapp (1987-01-22) 22 January 1987 49 0 Verdes
2DF Eugene Martínez (1997-10-20) 20 October 1997 9 1 Vancouver FC
2DF Deshawon Nembhard (1994-10-08) 8 October 1994 9 1 Central Valley Fuego
2DF Collin Westby (1995-02-19) 19 February 1995 8 0 Altitude
2DF Jahron Myvette (1995-05-09) 9 May 1995 4 0 Verdes
2DF Allan Barillas (1999-01-13) 13 January 1999 4 0 Altitude
2DF Makonnan Clare (1994-08-29) 29 August 1994 3 0 Dalton United
2DF Jaylen Lennan 0 0 Benque D.C. United
2DF Dedron Baptist 0 0 Progresso

3MF Nana Mensah (1989-01-19) 19 January 1989 28 1 South Carolina United Heat
3MF Jordy Polanco (1996-06-08) 8 June 1996 23 2 Verdes
3MF Nahjib Guerra (1994-08-18) 18 August 1994 11 0 Benque Viejo United
3MF Eldon Reneau (2003-05-22) 22 May 2003 10 1 Verdes
3MF Warren Moss (1999-10-13) 13 October 1999 8 1 Indiana Tech Warriors
3MF Andir Chi (2000-11-17) 17 November 2000 5 0 Progresso
3MF Jovaunn Ramos (2002-03-24) 24 March 2002 5 0 University of Northwestern Ohio
3MF Alwin Zelaya (2001-08-29) 29 August 2001 1 0 Progresso
3MF Latrell Middleton (1999-11-03) 3 November 1999 0 0 Port Layola

4FW Michael Salazar (1992-11-15) 15 November 1992 22 3 Los Angeles Force
4FW Carlos Bernárdez (1992-12-28) 28 December 1992 13 2 Real Sociedad
4FW Horace Ávila (1999-09-18) 18 September 1999 8 1 San Pedro Pirates
4FW Gilroy Thurton (1993-09-07) 7 September 1993 5 0 Port Layola
4FW Jonard Castillo (1999-12-11) 11 December 1999 0 0 Belmopan Bandits
4FW Félix Martínez (2005-07-09) 9 July 2005 1 1 Verdes

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up within the past 12 months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up

DF Kyle Flowers (1993-03-24) 24 March 1993 3 0 Altitude v.  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; 12 September, 2023
DF Alence Ayala (1999-04-24) 24 April 1999 1 0 Verdes v.  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; 12 September, 2023

MF Darrel Myvett (1993-12-15) 15 December 1993 12 0 Verdes v.  Bermuda; 17 October, 2023

FW Michael Palacio (2002-02-15) 15 February 2002 5 0 Port Layola v.  Bermuda; 17 October, 2023
FW Krisean López (1998-11-02) 2 November 1998 24 3 Platense v.  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; 12 September, 2023
FW Angelo Cappello (2002-01-27) 27 January 2002 7 1 Halifax Town v.  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; 12 September, 2023
FW Moisés Hernández (1998-05-26) 26 May 1998 0 0 San Pedro Pirates v.  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; 12 September, 2023

Records

As of 11 June 2024[6]
Players in bold are still active with Belize.

Most appearances

Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1Deon McCaulay63282007–2022
2Elroy Smith6162004–2019
3Ian Gaynair5722007–2022
4Evral Trapp5502010– present
5Woodrow West4602008–present
6Dalton Eiley4102005–2019
Daniel Jiménez4122008–2019
8Harrison Róchez4052004–2019
9Trevor Lennan3712005–2019
10Elroy Kuylen3362009–2019

Top goalscorers

Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1Deon McCaulay28630.442007–2022
2Elroy Kuylen6330.182009–2019
Elroy Smith6610.12004–2019
4Dion Frazer580.632000–2008
Harrison Róchez5400.132004–2019
6Carlos Bernárdez4160.252019–present
7Norman Nuñez3110.271995–2005
Vallan Symms3200.152000–2011
Michael Salazar3230.132013–present
Krisean Lopez3280.112018–present

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup FIFA World Cup qualification
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1930 to 1978 Part of  United Kingdom Part of  United Kingdom
1982 and 1986 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
1990 and 1994 Did not enter Declined participation
1998 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 2 6
2002 4 0 1 3 2 10
2006 2 0 0 2 0 8
2010 4 1 1 2 4 11
2014 8 4 1 3 17 13
2018 6 2 3 1 7 6
2022 3 1 0 2 5 5
2026 To be determined 2 0 0 2 1 7
2030 To be determined
2034
Total 0/9 31 8 6 17 38 66

CONCACAF Gold Cup

CONCACAF Championship & CONCACAF Gold Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Squad Pld W D L GF GA
1963 Part of  United Kingdom Part of  United Kingdom
1965
1967
1969
1971
1973
1977
1981
1985 Not a CONCACAF member Not a CONCACAF member
1989 Did not enter Did not enter
1991
1993
1996 Did not qualify 200215
1998 201112
2000 2002112
2002 201137
2003 Did not enter Did not enter
2005 Did not qualify 300307
2007 300337
2009 301237
2011 301238
2013 Group stage 12th 3 0 0 3 1 11 Squad 511324
2015 Did not qualify 300316
2017 5014210
2019 4 2 0 2 6 3
2021 6 2 0 4 6 12
2023 6 0 1 5 2 10
Total Group stage 1/18 3 0 0 3 1 11 49 5 5 39 34 100

CONCACAF Nations League

CONCACAF Nations League record
League Finals
Season Division Group Pld W D L GF GA P/R Finals Result Pld W D L GF GA Squad
2019−20 B A 6 2 0 4 6 12 2020 Ineligible
2022–23 B D 6 0 1 5 2 10 2023
2023–24 B C 621357 2024
2024–25 C B To be determined 2025
Total 18 4 2 12 13 29 Total 0 Titles

Copa Centroamericana

Copa Centroamericana record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
1991Did not enter
1993
1995Group stage6th200215
1997Preliminary round7th201112
1999Group stage6th2002112
20016th201137
2003Did not enter
2005Group stage7th300307
20077th300337
20097th301237
20117th301238
2013Fourth place4th511324
2014Group stage7th300316
20176th5014210
Total Fourth place 10/13 30 1 6 23 19 69

The 1995 tournament in El Salvador saw Belize's international debut. They played the hosts in their first-ever international on November 29 in Group A. El Salvador won 3–0 with all goals coming in the second half.[7] On December 1, Belize scored their first-ever international goal as they lost 2–1 to Costa Rica and were eliminated from the tournament. Both other teams advanced to the semi-finals and were defeated there, Costa Rica's conqueror Honduras beat Guatemala in the final.

Head-to-head record

Updated on 8 June 2024 after match against  Nicaragua[8]

  Positive Record   Neutral Record   Negative Record

OpponentPWDLGFGAGF
 Bahamas 110040+4
 Barbados 211010+1
 Bermuda 201112−1
 Canada 5014114−13
 Cayman Islands 2020110
 Costa Rica 6006118−17
 Cuba 310239−6
 Dominican Republic 4202550
 El Salvador 100010629−23
 French Guiana 631264+2
 Grenada 520311110
 Guatemala 130491023−13
 Guyana 210143+1
 Haiti 100102–2
 Honduras 10109424−20
 Jamaica 1010220
 Mexico 200209−9
 Montserrat 320184+4
 Nicaragua 134361925–6
 Panama 6024310−7
 Puerto Rico 321051+4
 Saint Kitts and Nevis 421156−1
 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 622267–1
 Turks and Caicos Islands 110050+5
 Trinidad and Tobago 2020000
 United States 100116−5
Total112262165111213−102

References

  1. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. June 20, 2024. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  2. "World Football Elo Ratings: Belize". Elo Ratings. Archived from the original on October 27, 2020. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
  3. Suspension of the Football Federation of Belize – FIFA
  4. Iglesias, Rubén Morales. "Unleashing the power of The Jaguars: Football Federation of Belize reveals new Belize National Football Team logo by Rolando Ramirez". Breaking Belize News. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  5. "Squad List". Facebook. Football Federation of Belize - FFB.
  6. "Belize". National Football Teams. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
  7. "Belize - List of International Matches". Archived from the original on April 20, 2009. Retrieved 2010-11-24.
  8. "World Football Elo Ratings: Belize". Elo Ratings. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
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