The national Under-17 football team of Antigua and Barbuda has commenced its journey to Guatemala, marking the beginning of their crucial CONCACAF U-17 Qualifiers tournament. This development was officially confirmed through a statement released by the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA).
The youthful squad, affectionately known as the ‘Benna Boys,’ faces a challenging group stage schedule against formidable regional opponents. Their campaign opens with a high-stakes encounter against the host nation, Guatemala, on February 5th with a 9 p.m. local time kickoff. The team will subsequently confront Haiti in their second group match scheduled for February 7th at 7 p.m., before concluding the preliminary round against Grenada on February 10th with a 6 p.m. start time.
These qualifying matches represent the initial phase within CONCACAF’s structured competitive pathway, serving as the gateway to the prestigious CONCACAF U-17 Championship. Success in this tournament could potentially lead to advancement to higher international competitions, showcasing the region’s emerging football talent on a larger stage. The participation underscores Antigua and Barbuda’s ongoing commitment to developing youth football and competing within the Caribbean and broader North American football community.