With the 2026 CONCACAF Under-17 Men’s Qualifiers approaching, Trinidad and Tobago’s national team coach Randolph Boyce has expressed strong optimism about the squad’s potential. The qualifying tournament, serving as the gateway to the 2026 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Qatar, will see TT host matches against Barbados, Saint Martin, Sint Maarten, and regional powerhouse Mexico at Hasely Crawford Stadium from February 3-12.
The team entered an intensive residential training camp on December 15 to enhance tactical cohesion and individual skills. The talent pool received a significant boost on December 19 when five UK-based players—Kayden Bancey, Jashaun Christmas, Archie Lovatt, Ate Ormonde, and Eden Ormonde—joined the domestic contingent. This infusion of overseas talent comes as both the U-17 and U-20 national teams conduct simultaneous training camps.
Boyce, initially appointed as TT’s U-20 coach in August 2024 before transitioning to lead the U-17 program, revealed that response from international players has been overwhelming. San Juan Jabloteh coach Marvin Gordon has subsequently taken helm of the national U-20 team.
Via a TT Football Association (TTFA) media video released on December 24, Boyce explained the camp’s objectives: ‘The purpose was to bring in the boys after their Secondary Schools Football League season and to evaluate several international players from the US and England. The camp was well-represented and the players have put in the work.’
The coaching staff has assessed an impressive pool of 42 players, with Boyce particularly enthusiastic about the talent display. ‘We have a wealth of talent,’ he emphasized. ‘What they have displayed shows we have good resources to represent our country well.’
Evaluation criteria extended beyond technical skills to encompass tactical understanding, physical conditioning, and psychological preparedness. Boyce noted they were assessing ‘how disciplined they are, how they could work as a group together, and how they could function as a team.’
With approximately five weeks remaining before their opening qualifier against Barbados, Boyce and his staff face critical selection decisions. Practice matches served as examinations of player capabilities, and the coaching team must now evaluate which athletes best meet their competitive requirements.
The path to World Cup qualification is direct—the eight group winners from CONCACAF’s qualifiers will advance automatically to November 2026’s global tournament in Qatar.