Joël Piroe’s first Suriname call-up has created an unexpected Leeds United link, with former striker Jay-Roy Grot also in the squad and offering a ready-made attacking connection at international level.
Leeds United forward Joël Piroe has been named in Suriname’s squad after being cleared to represent Suriname despite previously featuring at youth level for the Netherlands.
The striker qualifies for Suriname through his father, which has now allowed him to step into senior international football for the first time in his career and immediately compete for the World Cup.
Grot inclusion creates a rare Leeds connection
Piroe will link up with Jay-Roy Grot, who is also in the squad, giving Suriname a direct connection to Leeds United past and present.
Grot, who previously played for Leeds, now returns to international duty alongside Piroe, with both forwards included as attacking options in a squad preparing for decisive fixtures.
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After spells in Germany and Japan, Grot is currently playing for Danish side Odense where he has had a hand in 14 goals during 31 appearances.
Suriname are two matches from the World Cup and will face Bolivia in the play-off semi-final in Monterrey, Mexico. The clash takes place at 10pm on Thursday evening.
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If they progress, they would face Iraq five days later for a place at the tournament, placing immediate pressure on a squad that includes several new additions and first-time call-ups.
Should Suriname surpass both Bolivia and then Iraq, they would qualify for Group I of the 2026 World Cup which would see Piroe, Grot and co. take on France, Senegal and Norway.
Henk ten Cate adds experience to Suriname’s project
The squad is led by Henk ten Cate. Suriname’s head coach, a veteran figure with a long track record in European football.
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Leeds spent a total of £16m on Piroe…
The experienced Dutch coach has held roles at Ajax and worked at Barcelona and Chelsea, bringing an established pedigree and structure to Suriname’s push for qualification.
Piroe’s inclusion alongside Grot provides a clear Leeds-linked narrative, but the opportunity comes in matches that will define Suriname’s World Cup hopes.
With only two games separating them from qualification, both forwards enter an international setup operating under immediate and significant stakes.
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