As the 2026 Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Boys Under-14 Challenge Series kicks off this Sunday in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, the Caribbean island nation of Saint Lucia has finalized its 19-member national youth squad to compete for regional honors. The entire delegation confirmed it would depart for the host venue on Friday, ahead of their opening group stage match.
For decades, Saint Lucia has built a solid reputation for competitive youth football across the Caribbean, and the Saint Lucia Football Association (SLFA) has expressed high expectations that this new generation of young talent will carry forward that proud tradition in the upcoming tournament. Every player selected to the squad earned their spot through consistent strong performances in SLFA-sanctioned and affiliate league competitions over the past 12 months, including the prestigious LUCELEC/BOSL Youth League, the national SLFA Under-14 Boys Tournament, and the Guardsman Under-16 series.
Between the posts, Saint Lucia will rely on two promising young goalkeepers: Hasani Eliotte, who hails from Desruisseaux, and Rhyland Joseph of Monchy. Joseph has already emerged as one of the most highly regarded shot-stoppers in his age bracket, after turning heads with standout performances during last year’s Gros Islet Football League Showcase Classic.
The defensive line is anchored by a mix of talent from across Saint Lucia’s local club circuit. Irvin Peter, who features for both Valley Soccer and Central Castries, leads the unit, joined by Jaden Antoine, Omarhi James of NYAH FC, and Trey Didier from Monchy. Trevohn Edward and Ajani Walker, who both compete for Central Castries/VSADC, round out the defensive roster.
In midfield, Shem Ishmael of New Generation FC brings red-hot goal-scoring form into the tournament, having notched multiple goals across the LUCELEC/BOSL Youth League and SLFA Zonal competitions over the past year. Ishmael is joined by Mitchel Deterville of Anse La Raye, Leon Vidal of the Saint Lucia Sports Academy, Vijay Edwin of Mabouya Valley, and Kendall Nelson of Monchy. Vidal brings valuable tournament experience to the squad, having been a member of Saint Lucia’s 2024 U14 Challenge Series roster.
Up front, the Saint Lucia attack is led by prolific scorer Anaj Polius of Monchy United, who earned MVP honors and finished as top goalscorer in multiple local domestic competitions this past season. Polius will line up alongside his club teammate Khari Elibox, while Lyon Griffith of Black Panthers – another consistent leading scorer across SLFA youth competitions – adds further attacking depth. Rounding out the forward group are Dashawn Giddins, Adan Adjodha, and Jaelen McDonald.
Veteran head coach Stuart Charles Fevrier leads the squad’s full technical and support staff, which includes assistant coach Earl “Ball Hog” Jean, goalkeeper coach Ajani Delice, safeguarding officer Lee Willie, team administrator Stephen Regis, physiotherapist Rebertha Wilfred, and team doctor Mandisa Moncherry.
The young Saint Lucia side, nicknamed the Piton Boyz, will open their Tier II Group D campaign at 12:00 p.m. local time on Sunday against Grenada. They will follow that opening match with a clash against the United States Virgin Islands at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, before wrapping up group stage play against Suriname this coming Wednesday. Only the top team from each group will advance to the tournament semifinals, scheduled to take place next Friday. Looking ahead to this year’s tournament, the squad can draw on recent experience: during the 2024 edition of the CFU U14 Challenge Series, Saint Lucia secured one win, one draw, and two losses in group play.