As countdown preparations for the groundbreaking first-ever FIFA Under-15 World Cup and Festival kick into high gear, the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA) has finalized a trimmed 23-player training roster from an original group of 33 hopefuls. This new cohort, made up entirely of athletes born between 2011 and 2012, resumed intensive training sessions at the ABFA Technical Center earlier this week. The selection process is not yet complete, however: coaching staff will further narrow the group down to a 14-player traveling squad that will officially represent the island nation in the tournament. The final lineup is set to be revealed to the public on October 2, three weeks before the historic event gets underway in Azerbaijan, where matches will run from October 22 through 31. The 2026 tournament marks FIFA’s first launch of the new Under-15 global competition, a key addition to the governing body’s broadened global youth football development strategy. The 23 shortlisted players are Tiano Lewis, Anthonio Richmond, David Williams, Cole Garner, Adryl Lewis, Ethan Barton, Kalvin Willman, Marcus Thomas, Aiden Isaac, Tafari Parker, Allan Henry, Kawanie Atherly, Dnic Hadaway, Collin Wright, Aaron Alfred, Kaleil Lawrence, Joel Hajjeh, Glenord Ambrose, Kisia Joseph, Johnathon Duberry, Jariy Roberts, Jermaine Campbell and Tevon Henderson. Antigua and Barbuda earned a spot in the boys’ inaugural draw, joining a diverse field of nations from across the globe as FIFA looks to nurture emerging talent at younger age levels through this expanded programming. For the young Caribbean athletes, the opportunity to compete on this global stage represents a landmark milestone in their early football careers, and a chance to put Antigua and Barbuda’s youth football development on the international map.
ABFA Cuts Under-15 Training Squad to 23 Ahead of FIFA World Cup in Azerbaijan
