Archive venue photograph: Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua, in 2015. Not a photograph of today’s match. Credit: Chuckdisi / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0. Resized only.
Trinidad and Tobago begin their two-leg Gold Cup play-in against Antigua and Barbuda on Thursday, November 12, with the opening match away from home before the return encounter in Trinidad on November 16.
Head coach Derek King has selected a 28-man squad for the tie. The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association says the winners will advance to the next stage of qualification for the 2027 Concacaf Gold Cup. Thursday’s match therefore begins a qualifying assignment across two games, rather than deciding a place in the final tournament by itself.
Levi Garcia is unavailable for the opening leg. King said there was a possibility he could join the squad for the home fixture, with communication continuing between the player, his club and the national setup. Nathaniel James returns following injury, while Ali Kazim Nakhid, Steffen Yeates, Andre Raymond and Kathon St Hillaire have also been recalled. Daniel Phillips remains suspended, and Tyrese Spicer was not selected as he works towards full fitness.
One player offering flexibility is Kaihim Thomas. In a recent Guardian interview, the US-based player described adjusting to right-back in Trinidad and Tobago’s 1-1 draw with Curaçao after a demanding journey to join the team. The report said he completed that match despite having only one night in camp before being selected. Thomas has played in midfield and defence for Corpus Christi FC, giving the national coaches options as they prepare for the tie.
The opening match is scheduled for the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, with the return at the Hasely Crawford Stadium. Supporters will be watching for a performance that leaves Trinidad and Tobago well positioned for the home leg, while the final outcome of the tie remains to be settled on the field.
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