Belize

Nickname(s)	The Jaguars The Unbelizeables
Association	Football Federation of Belize (FFB)
Confederation	CONCACAF (North America)
Sub-confederation	UNCAF (Central America)
Head coach	David Pérez Asensio
Captain	Evral Trapp
Most caps	Deon McCaulay (63)
Top scorer	Deon McCaulay (28)
Home stadium	FFB Stadium
FIFA code	BLZ
First colours Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current	182 (21 December 2023)[1]
Highest	114 (April–June 2016)
Lowest	201 (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
Appearances	1 (first in 2013)
Best result	Group stage (2013)

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.

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.^[3] 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.^[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

Belize  v  Guatemala

24 March 2022–23 Nations League	Belize	1–2	Guatemala	Belmopan, Belize
20:00 (UTC−6)	Polanco 45+1'	Report	Castellanos 30' Santis 44'	Stadium: FFB Stadium Referee: Selvin Brown (Honduras)

Dominican Republic  v  Belize

27 March 2022–23 Nations League	Dominican Republic	2–0	Belize	San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic
18:00 (UTC−4)	Reyes 13' Lorenzo 60'	Report		Stadium: Estadio Panamericano Referee: Yadel Martínez (Cuba)

Belize  v  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

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	Simmons 51' Nembhard 79' (o.g.)	Stadium: Stade Pierre-Aliker Referee: Oliver Vergara (Panama)

French Guiana  v  Belize

12 September 2023–24 Nations League	French Guiana	0–2	Belize	Remire-Montjoly, French Guiana
16:30 UTC−3		Report	Polanco 64' Cappello 68'	Stadium: Stade Municipal Dr. Edmard Lama Referee: Hakeem Harvey (Saint Kitts and Nevis)

Belize  v  Bermuda

13 October 2023–24 Nations League	Belize	0–1	Bermuda	Belmopan, Belize
20:00 UTC−6		Report	Crichlow 18'	Stadium: FFB Stadium Referee: Juan Gabriel Calderón (Costa Rica)

Bermuda  v  Belize

17 October 2023–24 Nations League	Bermuda	1–1	Belize	Devonshire Parish, Bermuda
19:30 UTC−3	Crichlow 37'	Report	Reneau 75' (pen.)	Stadium: Dame Flora Duffy National Sports Centre Referee: David Gómez (Costa Rica)

Belize  v  French Guiana

17 November 2023–24 Nations League	Belize	1–0	French Guiana	Belmopan, Belize
20:00 UTC−6	Martínez 90+6'	Report		Stadium: FFB Stadium Referee: Jefferson Escobar (Honduras)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines  v  Belize

21 November 2023–24 Nations League	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	3–0	Belize	St. George's, Grenada
15:00 UTC−4	Spring 3' Edwards 84' Velox 85'	Report		Stadium: Kirani James Athletic Stadium Referee: Kimbell Ward (St. Kitts and Nevis)

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^[update], the Belize national football team has had 11 managers.

Manager	Period in charge	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Win %
Winston Michael	1995–1996	4	0	0	4	000.0
Manuel Bilches	1999–2000	6	0	1	5	000.0
Leroy Sherrier Lewis	2001	5	3	1	1	060.0
Eduardo Santana	2003	0	0	0	0	!—
Anthony Adderly	2003–2006	5	0	0	5	000.0
Antonio Carlos Vieira	2006–2007	3	0	0	3	000.0
Palmiro Salas	2008	2	1	0	1	050.0
Ian Mork	2008	4	0	1	3	000.0
Renan Couoh	2008–2009	3	0	1	2	000.0
José de la Paz Herrera	2010–2012	7	2	2	3	028.6
Leroy Sherrier Lewis	2012–2013	5	1	1	3	020.0
Charlie Slusher	2013	1	0	1	0	000.0
Ian Mork	2013–2014	4	0	1	3	000.0
Leroy Sherrier Lewis	2014–2015	3	0	0	3	000.0
Jorge Nunez	2015–2016	4	2	2	0	050.0
Richard Orlowski	2016–2018	5	0	1	4	000.0
Palmiro Salas	2018–2019	6	3	1	2	050.0
Vincenzo Alberto Annese	2019–2020	6	2	1	3	033.3
Dale Pelayo Sr.	2020–2021	0	0	0	0	!—

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 (age 22)	12	0	Progresso
	1GK	Luisito Cunil	(1989-11-01) 1 November 1989 (age 34)	0	0	Progresso
	1GK	Mateo Can		0	0	Benque D.C. United
	2DF	Evral Trapp	(1987-01-22) 22 January 1987 (age 37)	49	0	Verdes
	2DF	Eugene Martínez	(1997-10-20) 20 October 1997 (age 26)	9	1	Vancouver FC
	2DF	Deshawon Nembhard	(1994-10-08) 8 October 1994 (age 29)	9	1	Tormenta
	2DF	Collin Westby	(1995-02-19) 19 February 1995 (age 28)	8	0	Altitude
	2DF	Jahron Myvette	(1995-05-09) 9 May 1995 (age 28)	4	0	Verdes
	2DF	Allan Barillas	(1999-01-13) 13 January 1999 (age 25)	4	0	Altitude
	2DF	Makonnan Clare	(1994-08-29) 29 August 1994 (age 29)	3	0	Dalton United
	2DF	Jaylen Lennan		0	0	Benque D.C. United
	2DF	Dedron Baptist		0	0	Progresso
	3MF	Nana-Yaw Amankwah-Mensah	(1989-01-19) 19 January 1989 (age 35)	28	1	South Carolina United Heat
	3MF	Jordy Polanco	(1996-06-08) 8 June 1996 (age 27)	23	2	Verdes
	3MF	Nahjib Guerra	(1994-08-18) 18 August 1994 (age 29)	11	0	Benque Viejo United
	3MF	Eldon Reneau	(2003-05-22) 22 May 2003 (age 20)	10	1	Verdes
	3MF	Warren Moss	(1999-10-13) 13 October 1999 (age 24)	7	0	Indiana Tech Warriors
	3MF	Andir Chi	(2000-11-17) 17 November 2000 (age 23)	5	0	Progresso
	3MF	Jovaunn Ramos	(2002-03-24) 24 March 2002 (age 21)	5	0	University of Northwestern Ohio
	3MF	Alwin Zelaya	(2001-08-29) 29 August 2001 (age 22)	1	0	Progresso
	3MF	Latrell Middleton	(1999-11-03) 3 November 1999 (age 24)	0	0	Port Layola
	4FW	Michael Salazar	(1992-11-15) 15 November 1992 (age 31)	21	2	Miami
	4FW	Carlos Bernárdez	(1992-12-28) 28 December 1992 (age 31)	13	2	Victoria
	4FW	Horace Ávila	(1999-09-18) 18 September 1999 (age 24)	8	1	San Pedro Pirates
	4FW	Gilroy Thurton	(1993-09-07) 7 September 1993 (age 30)	5	0	Port Layola
	4FW	Jonard Castillo	(1999-12-11) 11 December 1999 (age 24)	0	0	Belmopan Bandits

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
GK	Kenroy Tillett	(2001-09-20) 20 September 2001 (age 22)	0	0	Port Layola	v.  Dominican Republic; 27 March, 2023
GK	Earl Dyck	(2003-10-21) 21 October 2003 (age 20)	0	0	South Carolina United Heat	v.  Dominican Republic; 27 March, 2023
DF	Kyle Flowers	(1993-03-24) 24 March 1993 (age 30)	3	0	Altitude	v.  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; 12 September, 2023
DF	Alence Ayala	(1999-04-24) 24 April 1999 (age 24)	1	0	Verdes	v.  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; 12 September, 2023
DF	Donell Arzú	(1999-09-27) 27 September 1999 (age 24)	8	0	Progresso	v.  Dominican Republic; 27 March, 2023
DF	Asrel Sutherland	(1993-03-08) 8 March 1993 (age 30)	6	0	San Pedro Pirates	v.  Dominican Republic; 27 March, 2023
DF	Jordan Casanova	(2004-04-30) 30 April 2004 (age 19)	1	0	Angelina College	v.  Dominican Republic; 27 March, 2023
MF	Darrel Myvett	(1993-12-15) 15 December 1993 (age 30)	12	0	Verdes	v.  Bermuda; 17 October, 2023
MF	Izon Gill	(1999-12-27) 27 December 1999 (age 24)	1	0	Verdes	v.  Dominican Republic; 27 March, 2023
MF	Trimayne Harris	(1997-12-20) 20 December 1997 (age 26)	6	0	Verdes	v.  Dominican Republic; 27 March, 2023
MF	Denmark Casey	(1994-01-14) 14 January 1994 (age 30)	25	1	Belmopan Bandits	v.  Dominican Republic; 27 March, 2023
FW	Michael Palacio	(2002-02-15) 15 February 2002 (age 21)	5	0	Port Layola	v.  Bermuda; 17 October, 2023
FW	Krisean López	(1998-11-02) 2 November 1998 (age 25)	24	3	Platense	v.  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; 12 September, 2023
FW	Angelo Cappello	(2002-01-27) 27 January 2002 (age 22)	7	1	Halifax Town	v.  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; 12 September, 2023
FW	Moisés Hernández	(1998-05-26) 26 May 1998 (age 25)	0	0	San Pedro Pirates	v.  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; 12 September, 2023

Records

As of 21 November 2023^[6]

Players in bold are still active with Belize.

Most appearances

Top goalscorers

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup record										FIFA World Cup qualification record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1930	Part of  United Kingdom									Part of  United Kingdom
1934
1938
1950
1954
1958
1962
1966
1970
1974
1978
1982	Did not enter									Declined participation
1986
1990
1994
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									To be determined
2030
2034
Total		0/11								29	8	6	15	37	59

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										2	0	0	2	1	5
1998											2	0	1	1	1	2
2000											2	0	0	2	1	12
2002											2	0	1	1	3	7
2003	Did not enter										Did not enter
2005	Did not qualify										3	0	0	3	0	7
2007											3	0	0	3	3	7
2009											3	0	1	2	3	7
2011											3	0	1	2	3	8
2013	Group stage	12th	3	0	0	3	1	11	Squad		5	1	1	3	2	4
2015	Did not qualify										3	0	0	3	1	6
2017											5	0	1	4	2	10
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 phase													Finals
Season	LG	Grp	Pos.	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	P/R	RK		Year	Pos.	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA	Squad
2019−20	B	A	3rd	6	2	0	4	6	12		24th		2020	Did not qualify
2022–23	B	D	4th	6	0	1	5	2	10		28th		2023
2023–24	B	C	4th	6	2	1	3	5	7		29th		2024
2024–25	C	To be determined											2025
Total				18	4	2	12	13	29	29th			Total		—	—	—	—	—	—	—

Copa Centroamericana

Copa Centroamericana record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1991	Did not enter
1993
1995	Group stage	6th	2	0	0	2	1	5
1997	Preliminary round	7th	2	0	1	1	1	2
1999	Group stage	6th	2	0	0	2	1	12
2001		6th	2	0	1	1	3	7
2003	Did not enter
2005	Group stage	7th	3	0	0	3	0	7
2007		7th	3	0	0	3	3	7
2009		7th	3	0	1	2	3	7
2011		7th	3	0	1	2	3	8
2013	Fourth place	4th	5	1	1	3	2	4
2014	Group stage	7th	3	0	0	3	1	6
2017		6th	5	0	1	4	2	10
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 21 November 2023 after match against  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines^[8]

  Positive Record   Neutral Record   Negative Record

Opponent	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GF
Bahamas	1	1	0	0	4	0	+4
Barbados	2	1	1	0	1	0	+1
Bermuda	2	0	1	1	1	2	−1
Canada	5	0	1	4	1	14	−13
Cayman Islands	2	0	2	0	1	1	0
Costa Rica	6	0	0	6	1	18	−17
Cuba	3	1	0	2	3	9	−6
Dominican Republic	4	2	0	2	5	5	0
El Salvador	10	0	0	10	6	29	−23
French Guiana	6	3	1	2	6	4	+2
Grenada	5	2	0	3	11	11	0
Guatemala	13	0	4	9	10	23	−13
Guyana	2	1	0	1	4	3	+1
Haiti	1	0	0	1	0	2	–2
Honduras	10	1	0	9	4	24	−20
Jamaica	1	0	1	0	2	2	0
Mexico	2	0	0	2	0	9	−9
Montserrat	3	2	0	1	8	4	+4
Nicaragua	12	4	3	5	19	21	–2
Panama	6	0	2	4	3	10	−7
Puerto Rico	1	1	0	0	1	0	+1
Saint Kitts and Nevis	4	2	1	1	5	6	−1
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	6	2	2	2	6	7	–1
Turks and Caicos Islands	1	1	0	0	5	0	+5
Trinidad and Tobago	2	0	2	0	0	0	0
United States	1	0	0	1	1	6	−5
Total	109	25	20	64	107	208	−101