With kickoff of the 2026 CONCACAF Under-20 Championship just one day away in Puebla, Mexico, the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA) has publicly celebrated the collective support of local businesses and individual backers that have stepped in as Official U20 Corporate Partners, making the nation’s historic tournament run possible.
The group of official partners spans multiple sectors of Antigua and Barbuda’s local economy, including the CIP Unit, Dr. Philmore Benjamin, Dawn till Dusk, Photogenesis, Justin Pereira, a joint partnership between Fitzroy’s Rewinding and Faster Freight, RVS Enterprises, and News Co Ltd. This diverse coalition reflects the widespread unity across the country’s business community in lifting up the next generation of Antiguan football talent.
Among the most impactful contributions comes from the collaborative effort between Fitzroy’s Rewinding and Faster Freight, which sourced and donated high-altitude simulation training masks for the squad. This targeted support addresses a critical logistical challenge for the team: Puebla sits roughly 7,000 feet above sea level, and the thinner air at this elevation presents a significant physical barrier for visiting teams competing there. The donation is a tangible example of how local private sector support is directly preparing the team to compete at their best.
For Justin Pereira, a former national player who now works as a coach and business owner, the partnership opportunity is more than just financial support—it is a chance to give back to the sport that shaped him. “As a former player, now coach and business owner, it is a real pleasure to be able to contribute to this undertaking. These are huge steps being made in Antigua football,” Pereira said.
Antigua and Barbuda’s under-20 squad carries notable regional pride into this year’s tournament. Selected as one of just 12 teams to compete in the final championship, they are the only nation from the Eastern Caribbean to qualify, and one of only four Caribbean countries overall in the field. The team will open its Group B play against tournament host Mexico on July 24 at Puebla’s iconic Estadio Cuauhtemoc, followed by matches against Guatemala on July 27 and Costa Rica on July 30. For all participating teams, the CONCACAF U20 Championship serves as a direct qualifying route for two of global football’s most prestigious youth competitions: the FIFA Under-20 World Cup and the Summer Olympic Games.
In closing, the ABFA reiterated its gratitude to all corporate partners, emphasizing that their belief in young Antiguan footballers and commitment to growing the sport in Antigua and Barbuda has been foundational to the team’s journey to the tournament.