FFB Technical Director & Belize Men’s National Team Coach Philip Marin – Photo courtesy: Philip Marin
By Rubén Morales Iglesias: The certificate, signed by FIFA’s top development officials including Arsène Wenger, was issued on December 23, 2025. Marin shared his gratitude publicly, calling the achievement a meaningful personal moment:
“What an early Christmas gift for me. With continued commitment, we will empower our coach educators and coaches to elevate coaching standards in Belize.”
His diploma caps a transformative year — one in which he unexpectedly stepped in to lead the Belize Men’s National Team (BMNT) during the Concacaf Friendly Series after a difficult World Cup Qualifying campaign. Belize had lost all seven matches in 2025 and entered November without a head coach.
Marin explained that taking the role was never part of his plan.
“I had no plan to take up the head coach position for the senior men’s team since my hands are already full with all the technical development programs from grassroots football to youth national teams. I usually guide the youth national team coaches and ensure that they are following the curriculum of our national playing style,” Marin told Breaking Belize News.
But with the team needing leadership, FFB President Sergio Chuc asked him to step in.
“It was a hard decision for me to make since the team had not won a game for this year and they had lost all seven matches played,” Marin said.
After several days of reflection, he accepted.
“After a few days I accepted the offer and put together a mixture of youth players with senior national team players.”
Philip Marin’s FIFA Coach Educators’ Diploma – Courtesy: Philip Marin
The turnaround was immediate. Under Marin’s guidance, Belize defeated St. Martin 1–0 and then delivered a commanding 6–2 victory over St. Kitts and Nevis in Basseterre, restoring confidence and ending the year with back‑to‑back international wins.
Marin credits the success to building the right support team.
“It was important for me to select competent people to work with especially in the area of video analysis and sports science. The FIFA Talent Coach Joaquin Lobon and Norman Koko were the perfect coaches for this,” Marin said.
He will continue leading the BMNT through March 2026 for the second leg of the Concacaf Series, though he hopes a permanent head coach will be appointed by then.
The FIFA Coach Educators’ Diploma itself is one of the most demanding technical qualifications in world football. It consists of five modules delivered across the region over a three‑year period: Module 1 in Costa Rica (2023), Module 2 online (2023), Module 3 in Guatemala (2024), Module 4 online (2024), and Module 5 in Aruba (2025), where the final assessment was held this past August. Marin and fellow Belizean educator Wayne Casimiro were evaluated across five key roles: Leader, Technician, Teacher, Mentor, and Assessor.
Casimiro also successfully completed the full FIFA Coach Educators’ Diploma pathway, finishing all five modules — including the final assessment in Aruba — alongside fellow Belizean educator Philip Marin.
FFB Technical Director & Belize Men’s National Team Coach Philip Marin along with BWNT Coach Wayne Casimiro (left) – Photo courtesy: Philip Marin
Since becoming Technical Director on January 1, 2018, Marin has overseen several major reforms that strengthened the foundation of Belizean football. He guided the creation of the country’s first Technical Strategic Plan, restructured the national Coaching Education Syllabus, and helped establish the National Elite Championships for youth categories. He also led the formation of the first U15 Belize Girls National Team, expanded grassroots football through school‑based festivals, and collaborated on the development of the official FFB Playing Style.
He broadened coaching pathways by launching Belize’s first CONCACAF C and B License courses, introducing multiple FIFA‑supported programs, and building international partnerships that opened doors for both coaches and youth players. These long‑term initiatives have helped modernize the FFB’s technical structure and align Belize more closely with regional and global standards.
At 45, Marin brings more than two decades of technical and coaching experience to his new FIFA qualification. His academic background includes studies in Sports Science in Leipzig, Educational Leadership at Galen University, and Physical Education and Sport in Havana. His coaching résumé spans every level of the game — from Premier League clubs to national youth teams — shaping the holistic approach he now applies to development and education.
Looking ahead, Marin’s ambitions extend beyond Belize.
“My plan is for one day to work with Concacaf or FIFA in the area of Technical Development,” he said. “I had some offers early this year from Concacaf and FIFA but I had some setbacks. I am hoping by the end of 2026 I can contribute to football development globally.”
He also has academic goals on the horizon.
“My major goal is to start my doctorate degree in 2026 in Sports Management and Administration focusing on players and club development.”
With his new qualification and his recent work with the national team, Marin ends 2025 as a key contributor to Belize’s football development, both in coaching education and team performance.
FFB Technical Director & Belize Men’s National Team Coach Philip Marin along with BWNT Coach Wayne Casimiro (left) – Photo courtesy: Philip Marin
The post FFB Technical Director Philip Marin successfully completes FIFA Coach Educators’ Diploma appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
FFB Technical Director & Belize Men’s National Team Coach Philip Marin – Photo courtesy: Philip Marin By Rubén Morales Iglesias: The certificate, signed by FIFA’s top development officials including Arsène Wenger, was issued on December 23, 2025. Marin shared his gratitude publicly, calling the achievement a meaningful personal moment: “What an early Christmas gift for
The post FFB Technical Director Philip Marin successfully completes FIFA Coach Educators’ Diploma appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
