Against the backdrop of sustained economic and humanitarian strain on Cuba, the government of Antigua and Barbuda has publicly reaffirmed its longstanding commitment to standing with the Caribbean island, while making clear it will honor all obligations to regional assistance efforts organized through the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The pledge came during a post-Cabinet press briefing held Thursday, where Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant addressed questions from journalists about regional support frameworks for Cuba and Antigua and Barbuda’s participation in CARICOM’s coordinated humanitarian initiative. Merchant confirmed that the specific topic of Cuban assistance did not appear on the agenda for Wednesday’s weekly Cabinet meeting. He did, however, note that Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, E.P. Chet Greene, is currently participating in high-level regional gatherings where Cuba-related challenges remain a key standing discussion item. In clear, formal remarks, Merchant emphasized that the Antigua and Barbuda government’s commitment to supporting Cuba has not shifted, and the nation is fully prepared to meet any commitments tied to CARICOM’s regional support programs. “Antigua and Barbuda stands ready to fulfill its commitment to supporting the humanitarian effort towards Cuba,” Merchant stated. Framing Cuba as one of Antigua and Barbuda’s oldest and most reliable bilateral partners, Merchant added that the administration remains willing and able to extend tangible support wherever its resources allow. Beyond direct humanitarian assistance, Merchant also highlighted that Antigua and Barbuda has a long track record of advocating for Cuba in multilateral international forums, most notably on the issue of long-strained diplomatic and economic relations between Cuba and the United States. He confirmed that this advocacy work will continue, with Antigua and Barbuda remaining dedicated to all international efforts that aim to improve living and economic conditions for the Cuban public. “Anything to lessen the burden of the people of the Republic of Cuba, Antigua and Barbuda stands ready to give support,” he added. CARICOM’s leadership has for months repeatedly voiced public concern over the deepening economic hardships facing the Cuban population, and regional leaders have actively worked to develop and scale practical assistance programs through coordinated cross-national cooperation and targeted humanitarian initiatives. The diplomatic partnership between Antigua and Barbuda and Cuba stretches back decades, with deep, ongoing collaboration in core sectors including public health, education, and technical skills exchange. Government officials have repeatedly emphasized that this close bilateral relationship remains a central pillar of Antigua and Barbuda’s broader foreign policy strategy.
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Derde helft WK 2026: Brazilië start tegen Marokko op derde toernooidag
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted across North America, enters its next matchday on Saturday June 13, with four more group stage fixtures getting underway as the 48-team tournament continues to unfold. The headline clash of the day pits five-time World Cup champions Brazil against 2023 Africa Cup of Nations winners Morocco, while three other opening-round matches see Qatar face Switzerland, Haiti take on Scotland, and Australia go up against Turkey. Off the pitch, the tournament has already seen a string of unusual off-field stories: former US president Donald Trump missed the United States’ opening fixture, former Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau attended the US match instead of Canada’s own tournament opener, and Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey was forced to sit out his side’s first match after Canadian authorities rejected his visa application. In an unexpected twist, Peruvian police officers sparked public commotion when they disguised themselves as World Cup mascots to carry out a successful drug raid.
Below is the full kickoff schedule for June 13, all local time: Group B’s Qatar vs Switzerland gets underway at 4:00 PM at BC Place in Vancouver, British Columbia. The highly anticipated Group C clash between Brazil and Morocco follows at 7:00 PM at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The final match of the day will see Haiti and Scotland face off at 10:00 PM at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Australia and Turkey will round out the day’s action, kicking off their Group D campaign at 1:00 AM Sunday at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington.
### Brazil vs Morocco
Brazil will kick off its quest for a record-extending sixth World Cup title in what stands as the toughest possible opening Group C test against reigning African champions Morocco. Unlike most tournament favorites, who open their campaigns against lower-ranked underdogs, Brazil has been drawn into an immediate high-stakes clash against one of the most dangerous teams in the group.Morocco’s squad, led by star defender Achraf Hakimi and attacking playmaker Brahim Diaz, enters the tournament in strong form with significant offensive firepower. As demonstrated during their historic fourth-place run at the 2022 World Cup, the North African side has proven it can go toe-to-toe with the world’s top ranked teams. The two sides have only met once before at a World Cup, with Brazil claiming a group stage victory back in 1998, though Morocco got revenge with a 2-1 friendly win over the South American giants in 2023.
Brazil holds an impressive overall record against African opponents at the World Cup, with seven wins from eight matches, its only loss coming against Cameroon in the final group stage match of the 2022 tournament. The five-time champions have not lifted the World Cup trophy since their 2002 victory, and have exited the tournament in the quarter-finals in most editions since, aside from a home semi-final exit in 2014. Leading into the 2026 tournament, Brazil’s preparation has been far from smooth: the side is under the leadership of a new head coach, has been plagued by key injury setbacks, and navigated a chaotic qualification campaign. Even with these questions hanging over the side, Brazil remains the clear favorite to pick up three points in its opening fixture.
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Castries youth football league enters knockout phase
The Saint Lucia Electricity Services Ltd and Bank of Saint Lucia-sponsored Castries Youth Football League is gearing up for its highly anticipated playoff phase, set to launch this coming weekend as the tournament enters its fourth week of competition. The event, which showcases emerging young football talent across four age groups, has already reached a critical turning point: the Under-12 division has secured its top eight teams, who will go head-to-head in the quarterfinals, while young squads in the Under-7, Under-10, Under-14 and Under-17 categories continue to battle for the remaining playoff positions. Alongside team glory, individual standout players in every division are locked in a tight race to claim the league’s coveted Golden Boot award for top scorer.
Earlier match results have set the stage for this weekend’s high-stakes fixtures. In Under-7 action earlier this week, Lancers FC claimed a solid 2-0 victory over NYAH FC in a hotly contested Castries derby. The side found the back of the net once in each half, with goals from young forwards Traie Constantine and Kaylan Moise securing the win. A second lopsided result followed on Thursday, when GMC United delivered a dominant 6-0 shutout against VSADC. The GMC United attack was led by Shiloh John, Sherdan Sylvester and Shaquil Martelly, each of whom notched a brace in the commanding performance.
All eyes will turn to the Sab Playing Facility this Saturday, where a full slate of divisional matches will unfold. First up, Under-10 fixtures will see Lancers FC square off against FC Pioneers, followed by a clash between Monchy United FC and NYAH FC. Monchy United’s rising star Liam Peter, who scored five goals in the team’s previous outing, will be eager to extend his scoring streak and climb the Golden Boot rankings on Saturday morning.
In the afternoon, the Under-14 division will host three key matchups: VSADC will face FC Pioneers, NYAH FC will go up against GMC United, and Big Players FC will battle Valley Soccer Club. The Golden Boot race in this division is already neck-and-neck: Randel Francois of Lancers FC and Deandre James of FC Pioneers are currently tied on three goals apiece, leaving both hungry to find the net and claim the solo lead in this weekend’s fixtures.
The playoff action officially gets underway on Sunday, when all four Under-12 quarterfinal matches will kick off simultaneously at 9:50 a.m. The quarterfinal lineup matches Lancers FC against New Generation FC, Big Players against Flames United, Maxwell Andrew and Monchy United against NYAH FC, and VSADC against FC Pioneers.
The weekend of competition will wrap up with two decisive Under-17 matches that could largely shape the eventual league championship outcome. Valley Soccer will face NYAH FC, while Monchy United will go head-to-head against GMC United. The division’s Golden Boot race is also well underway: Curtrel Francois of Monchy United currently leads the pack with four goals, while Dacius Prince of Valley Soccer trails close behind on three, giving both players plenty to play for in Sunday’s double-header.







