Carib Scope

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  • State funeral preparations near end at Kensington Oval

    State funeral preparations near end at Kensington Oval

    As Barbados gears up to bid a final, national farewell to one of its most beloved icons, the Right Excellent Sir Garfield Sobers, final preparations are underway at the iconic Kensington Oval to welcome a crowd of more than 10,000 mourners for what stands as one of the largest public tributes in the island nation’s modern history.

    On Tuesday, while Sir Garry’s casket lay in state at the historic cricket ground, work crews moved through the venue putting last-minute finishing touches on the transformation that converted the world-famous stadium from a planned entertainment host to a solemn state funeral site in less than a week.

    Damien Gaskin, chairman of Kensington Oval Management Inc., shared details of the rapid turnaround in an interview, explaining that the venue had originally been booked to host key events as part of Barbados’ annual Crop Over festival, including the popular Rise and Pic-O-De-Crop competitions. Despite the short notice and shift in plans, the venue’s management team pulled off the full transition in just a matter of days, a feat Gaskin credits to the facility’s ongoing culture of readiness.

    “We normally have more time to prepare for major events, but we generally stay in a state of readiness anyway – we are a facility that is used consistently year-round,” Gaskin explained. He added that the recent international cricket test series against New Zealand had left the ground in excellent condition, cutting down on the prep work needed for the national event. Still, Gaskin emphasized that hosting a state funeral requires a very different setup than a professional cricket match, requiring extensive layout adjustments to match the solemnity of the occasion.

    Major modifications to the venue included the construction of a custom stage, installation of new decking, erection of a private tent for VIP guests, and placement of ceremonial decorations and bunting to create the appropriate atmosphere for a national day of mourning. “In terms of the layout, setting up a stage, putting down the decking, putting in a VIP tent, putting up the bunting to have that feel for a state funeral, all that stuff was done in the last few days,” Gaskin said. “Right now we’re just putting the finishing touches.”

    Work teams continued to handle minor cleaning and touch-up work through Tuesday, with Gaskin noting that open-air venues require constant upkeep, especially in the days leading up to a major event. “It’s just very minor stuff really in terms of cleaning. You clean today, tomorrow it’s still dirty, so there are still some minor touch-ups that need to be done,” he said.

    By the time mourners begin arriving on Wednesday, Gaskin said the venue will fully reflect the gravity and respect of the occasion, fittingly honoring the legacy of the late cricket legend. “It should look and feel like we are really honouring the late, great Sir Garry, and we hope thousands come out to pay their respects,” he added.

    Organizers have issued seating tickets for all public stands across the ground, including the 3Ws, Greenidge and Haynes, Hewitt and Inniss, and Hall and Griffith stands, which offer a total capacity of approximately 10,000 seats. With additional contingency arrangements already in place to accommodate extra guests, Gaskin confirmed he expects the final turnout will exceed that pre-planned seating capacity as people from across the island and around the region travel to Barbados to say goodbye to Sir Garry Sobers.

  • Robinhood overtuigend naar halve finale CFU Club Shield na 4-0 zege op Slingerz FC

    Robinhood overtuigend naar halve finale CFU Club Shield na 4-0 zege op Slingerz FC

    Suriname’s top club side SV Robinhood has stamped its authority on the 2026 CFU Club Shield, securing a dominant 4-0 quarterfinal victory over Guyana’s Slingerz FC on Tuesday evening to book a spot in the tournament’s final four. The win keeps the Surinamese semi-champions firmly in contention for a place in the final, and ultimately a qualifying spot to the prestigious 2026 Concacaf Caribbean Cup.

    From the opening kickoff, Robinhood controlled the tempo of the match, holding the upper hand and dictating play for nearly the full 90 minutes. The club’s consistent territorial dominance paid off in the 36th minute, when forward Renske Adipi broke the deadlock to put his side ahead. The two sides headed into the halftime break with Robinhood holding a narrow 1-0 advantage.

    Robinhood did not let up after the restart, maintaining its grip on the match and continuing to push for more goals. Midfielder Ravello Zijler doubled the Surinamese side’s lead just minutes into the second half, before Dimitrio Andro extended the gap further with Robinhood’s third goal of the night. Zijler capped off an outstanding individual performance with his second goal of the evening, setting the final score at a convincing 4-0.

    Match statistics only reinforce the extent of Robinhood’s dominance over their Guyanese opponents. The Surinamese club held 61% of the match’s total possession, put four of their shots on target, and limited Slingerz FC to zero attempts on goal. Robinhood also held an advantage in corner opportunities, earning three corner kicks compared to just one for Slingerz.

    With this lopsided win, SV Robinhood joins the remaining four teams still in contention for the 2026 CFU Club Shield title. The tournament’s semifinals are scheduled to kick off on Friday, July 31. The two teams that advance to the final will automatically earn qualification to the 2026 Concacaf Caribbean Cup, the top-tier club football competition for the Caribbean region.

    The remaining quarterfinal matches delivered equally dramatic results across the competition. Jamaica’s Mount Pleasant FA earned a narrow 1-0 win over Barbados’ Weymouth Wales, while Puerto Rico’s Metropolitan FC secured a 2-1 victory against the United States Virgin Islands’ Helenites SC. The fixture between Curaçao’s Inter Willemstad and the Dominican Republic’s Delfines del Este ended 1-1 after regulation time, with a penalty shootout required to determine the semifinal qualifier.

    For SV Robinhood, the team is now just one win away from a spot in the CFU Club Shield final and a coveted ticket to the Concacaf Caribbean Cup. Tuesday’s resounding victory over Slingerz FC has cemented the Surinamese club’s status as one of the favorites to lift the 2026 tournament trophy.

  • Sir Garfield Sobers lies in state as crowds file past at Kensington Oval

    Sir Garfield Sobers lies in state as crowds file past at Kensington Oval

    On Tuesday, Kensington Oval opened its gates to a continuous stream of mourners, ranging from cricket’s most iconic figures to senior public officials and traveling fans, all gathering to pay their final respects to Barbadian national hero Sir Garfield Sobers one day ahead of his official state funeral. What started as a small, quiet trickle of visitors in the early hours of the morning swelled into a steady, patient procession, as people from across the globe came together to honor a man who rose from humble origins to leave an indelible mark on world cricket.

    As final preparations continued for Wednesday’s state funeral, which will be hosted on the same iconic ground where Sobers built much of his legendary career, venue staff worked to put the finishing touches on the event space. Crews pressure-washed walkways and spectator areas, trimmed the outfield grass, and readied the fully erected main stage, transforming the historic ground into a fitting space to host thousands of expected guests for a celebration of Sobers’ extraordinary life.

    A formal guard of honor stood watch around the flag-draped casket, which was sheltered in a large marquee erected on the playing field. Among the first to pay their respects was fellow cricket great Sir Wesley Hall, who paused in quiet reflection beside the casket from his wheelchair. Outside the venue, crowds of fans gathered to snap photographs beside the three iconic statues that stand at the oval’s entrance: those of Hall, Sir Charles Griffith, and the late Sir Garfield Sobers himself.

    A host of other former West Indies cricket stars joined the solemn procession throughout the day, including Dwayne Smith, Philo Wallace, and Ryan Hinds, the former captain of the Barbados national side. Cricket figures and administrators from across the world have already traveled to Barbados to attend Wednesday’s funeral service, among them legendary former West Indies captain Brian Lara. Lara famously broke Sobers’ 36-year-old record for the highest individual Test score in 1994, when he hit 375 not out against England in Antigua; Sobers had set the original 365 not out record against Pakistan in 1958.

    Legendary West Indies opening batsman Sir Gordon Greenidge shared his reflections on Sobers’ legacy with reporters outside the viewing tent. “I think he had a great innings. Batted well, bowled well, fielded well, what is left to be said about the great man?” Greenidge said. “It’s just one of those sad moments where unfortunately we all have to encounter at some stage in our lives, but we never think it was going to go the way it went or so soon. He will be missed by everyone.”

    Greenidge emphasized that while Sobers was a beloved son of Barbados, his fame and impact stretched across every corner of the globe. “Wherever he went or wherever you mentioned the name Sir Garfield Sobers, everyone knew who he was and wanted to talk about the man. What I think people will miss most about the man is his presence. I’m one of those who always wanted to be in the company of Sir Gary because when he spoke, especially about cricket, you listened. I can say no more, but may he rest in peace.”

    Dame Sandra Mason, President Emeritus of Barbados, was among the high-profile dignitaries that took part in Tuesday’s viewing, pausing for a moment of quiet respect before departing with her delegation. Veteran Barbadian cricket coach Roderick “Roddy” Estwick, who counted Sobers among his greatest influences, also made the trip to Kensington Oval to say goodbye. “We had to do it right, obviously he’s done so much for the country, you know, he put Barbados on the map when he played and was the greatest cricketer that ever lived,” Estwick said.

    “When you look at his figures, you see what an outstanding cricketer he was, but for me he was more of a gentleman. He always had a kind word, always had advice. He would always try to point you in the right direction, so I only felt fitting to be here this morning.”

  • Seales leads Windies to historic Pakistan triumph

    Seales leads Windies to historic Pakistan triumph

    On a memorable Tuesday at Trinidad’s Brian Lara Cricket Academy, young fast bowler Jayden Seales delivered a career-defining performance, claiming his fourth Test five-wicket haul to lock in a historic 90-run victory for the West Indies over Pakistan in the opening match of their series. What unfolded across four days of fluctuating momentum ended with a dominant finish from the home side, capping off a contest that kept cricket fans on the edge of their seats from the first over to the last.

    The day of decision opened with West Indies in a precarious position, resuming at 126 for seven in their second innings having built a narrow overnight advantage. Tail-end batters Kemar Roach and Shamar Joseph extended their stubborn partnership to 61 runs, adding 28 crucial runs to push the home side closer to a competitive lead. After Mohammad Ali removed Joseph for 38, late contributions from Roach, Jomel Warrican and Seales himself pushed West Indies’ overall lead past the 200-run mark, setting Pakistan a 211-run victory target with a day and a half of play remaining. Pakistan’s pace spearhead Mohammad Abbas then claimed the final two wickets of Roach and Warrican to pick up his seventh five-wicket haul in Tests, finishing with figures of 5-22 from 15.5 overs, leaving the visitors with a realistic chance of chasing down the required total to take an early series lead.

    But Pakistan’s chase got off to a disastrous start almost as soon as it began. In just the third over, with five runs already on the board, the consistently reliable Roach sent down a searing delivery that brushed Imam-ul-Haq’s glove on the way through to the wicketkeeper, handing West Indies the first breakthrough. Azan Awais followed back to the pavilion shortly after, chasing a wide half-volley from Seales and edging a simple catch to the keeper, leaving Pakistan at 21 for two. Seales struck again in his very next over, trapping Salman Agha lbw for a duck to plunge the visitors into crisis at 25 for three, with Pakistan limping into the lunch break at 28 for three still needing 183 runs to win.

    After the interval, Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan showed brief glimpses of fight, with Rizwan hitting two consecutive boundaries off Seales and Azam finding the midwicket rope off Joseph. But the momentum shifted back to West Indies almost instantly when medium pacer Justin Greaves, the hero of the first innings with the ball, produced two quick strikes. He bowled Rizwan for 11 in his first over of the spell, then trapped Aamer Jamal lbw for a duck just one over later, dropping Pakistan to 50 for five. The situation worsened three runs later when Ali Usman chased a full delivery from Roach and edged a catch to Greaves at second slip, reducing the visitors to 7/6 wickets down.

    Shan Masood, who hit a century in Pakistan’s first innings but batted down the order due to a finger injury, managed only three runs before driving loosely at Seales straight into the hands of Joseph at backward point, all but ending any remote hope of a Pakistan recovery. By the time Seales knocked over Khurram Shahzad’s middle stump and Joseph caught Mohammad Ali at second slip, Pakistan had slumped to 71 for nine, with the match seemingly destined to end before the tea break.

    But a stubborn late partnership between Abbas and Azan frustrated West Indies, with Abbas hitting four entertaining boundaries and Azam bringing up his 32nd Test half-century, carrying Pakistan to 114 for nine at the tea break. Their 49-run stand for the final wicket prolonged the contest, but it could not prevent the inevitable. Shortly after tea, Seales fittingly finished the match by trapping Abbas lbw for 23 off 33 balls, wrapping up Pakistan’s innings at 120 all out in 40.2 overs. Seales finished with stunning match-winning figures of 5-20 from 14.2 testing overs, securing the 90-run win and extending Pakistan’s miserable away form to eight consecutive Test defeats on the road.

    Greaves, who claimed seven wickets across the two Pakistan innings, was named Player-of-the-Match for his all-contributions with the ball, finishing with 2-12 in the second innings. Roach also chipped in with two key wickets to end with 2-27 for the match, rounding out a dominant collective bowling performance from the West Indies side.

  • Lifeguard Dies After Medical Emergency at Fort James Beach

    Lifeguard Dies After Medical Emergency at Fort James Beach

    A quiet day of coastal safety patrols at Antigua’s popular Fort James Beach turned into an unthinkable tragedy this week, when a young lifeguard suffered an unexpected life-threatening medical incident while working in the water and later succumbed to his condition.

    Witnesses and fellow first responders confirm that colleagues on duty spotted the lifeguard showing clear signs of distress almost immediately after he fell ill. Acting swiftly in line with their emergency training, the other lifeguards rushed into the water to retrieve him, pulling him safely onto the sand before beginning cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and placing an urgent call for professional emergency medical support.

    When Emergency Medical Services crews arrived at the beach, they took over resuscitation efforts and continued advanced life-saving interventions on site. Despite their sustained efforts to stabilize the young lifeguard, he was rushed to the island’s main tertiary care facility, Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre, where medical providers later confirmed he had died.

    As of the latest public update, local authorities have not yet released a confirmed cause for the sudden medical emergency, nor have they shared full details on the exact sequence of events that led to the incident. Investigations are ongoing, and official updates are expected to be released to the public as more verified information becomes available.

  • MV Barima Captain and Crew Remanded on Murder Charges

    MV Barima Captain and Crew Remanded on Murder Charges

    In a high-profile development following one of Guyana’s deadliest maritime disasters in recent years, three crew members of the capsized ferry MV Barima — including its captain — have been formally charged with murder and remanded into federal custody.

    The accused, identified as 40-year-old captain Kevin “KP” Price, 42-year-old chief mate Rondell Dwayne Roberts, and 33-year-old goods superintendent Delon Granderson, made their first court appearance on July 28, 2026 before Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman in Georgetown. During the hearing, the murder charges were formally read to the three men. Per standard legal procedure in Guyana for serious open hearings, the defendants were not required to enter pleas at this initial stage, and none of the three secured legal representation by the time of the appearance.

    The case has been adjourned until August 3 to allow for further legal preparation and proceedings. Guyana Police Force officials confirmed that the murder charges were filed only after receiving formal legal guidance from the country’s Director of Public Prosecutions, a step that comes amid widespread public outcry over the high death toll of the incident.

    The MV Barima capsized and sank on July 18 while en route from the capital of Georgetown to Port Kaituma, a remote river port in northwest Guyana. Complicating early recovery efforts and casualty counting, the vessel was not operating with an official passenger manifest, meaning authorities have had to rely on witness accounts and missing person reports to estimate the total number of people on board. Current official estimates place the total number of passengers and crew at 179. As of the latest update, Guyanese rescue authorities have confirmed that 76 people were pulled alive from the Atlantic waters, 73 bodies have been recovered and their deaths formally confirmed, and 30 passengers and crew remain unaccounted for, presumed dead.

    In a startling revelation that has amplified public anger over the disaster, Guyanese authorities confirmed that two of the three accused crew members — including Captain Price — tested positive for marijuana following toxicology tests conducted after the sinking. The presence of controlled substances in the crew’s systems has raised serious questions about operational negligence and vessel safety protocols ahead of the fatal voyage.

    In response to widespread calls for a transparent, independent investigation into the incident, Guyanese Prime Minister Irfaan Ali has established a five-person international investigative commission made up of leading legal and maritime safety experts. The commission will be chaired by Godfrey Philip Smith, a prominent maritime specialist from Belize, with a mandate to uncover the root causes of the disaster and recommend changes to Guyana’s maritime regulatory framework to prevent similar tragedies.

    Currently, the wreckage of the MV Barima rests approximately 50 feet below the surface of the Atlantic Ocean off Guyana’s northwest coast. Maritime officials have stated that salvage operations are not economically or logistically feasible at this time, and it is highly unlikely that the vessel will be raised from the seabed.

  • ‘Political Finance Reform Blueprint Is Ready’. Will Government Follow It?

    ‘Political Finance Reform Blueprint Is Ready’. Will Government Follow It?

    Belize has taken a major step toward addressing the long-unresolved issue of unregulated political and campaign financing, with a local policy think tank releasing a comprehensive road map for reform – but the biggest question now hangs over whether the nation’s elected leaders will choose to act on the proposal.

    The Belize Policy Research Institute (BELPRI) recently published its landmark report detailing a clear framework for enacting the campaign finance legislation that has been debated for decades across Belize’s political landscape. In an interview discussing the report, BELPRI Executive Director Dr. Dylan Vernon noted that the hardest challenge facing reform is not drafting solid, enforceable legislation, but building political buy-in from the leaders who stand to benefit from the current unregulated system.

    Belize’s Prime Minister John Briceño has previously cast doubt on the timeline for reform, saying that overhauling political finance rules is such a massive undertaking that it is unlikely to be completed during his current administration’s term. But Dr. Vernon has pushed back against this narrative, arguing that difficulty is no excuse for inaction.

    “We have to acknowledge that it’s not going to be easy. This is difficult. The Prime Minister is right in that way. But, because it’s difficult, it does not mean in any way or form that we should not try and we should not at least try to mitigate some of the worst implications and negative results of money in politics,” Dr. Vernon stated.

    The think tank’s report is framed as a usable blueprint that the government and political parties can leverage to move the reform process forward, if they have the willingness to do so. For Dr. Vernon, the core test of reform is not working out logistics of enforcement – a common excuse cited by politicians to delay action – but convincing sitting politicians that the current system that benefits them personally ultimately fails the broader public.

    For years, politicians across both of Belize’s major political parties have gained advantages from the lack of formal regulation of political financing, keeping the status quo firmly in place. “Changing it will not be easy. And I think that’s the key hurdle to overcome. The excuses about lack of enforcement and how difficult it is, I think we’re able to get over those. The key one would be convincing them that the status quo isn’t working,” Dr. Vernon explained.

    Despite the steep political barriers, Dr. Vernon emphasized that even incremental reform introducing basic oversight of campaign finance would deliver long-term benefits for both the political class and the general Belizean public, making the effort to push for change worthwhile.

  • Trijana Meeting: duurzame ontwikkeling begint bij inheems leiderschap

    Trijana Meeting: duurzame ontwikkeling begint bij inheems leiderschap

    Indigenous traditional authority figures from South Suriname have outlined a clear vision for the region’s long-term sustainable growth: any meaningful progress must center indigenous governance and build equal, collaborative partnerships between local communities, the national government, and civil society organizations. This position was the core outcome of the 2026 annual Trijana Meeting, held from July 22 to 24 in the remote village of Pelelu Tepu.

    Gathered under the official theme “Collaboration for Sustainable Development and Empowerment of Indigenous Communities in South Suriname,” the meeting brought together representatives from 11 indigenous villages, alongside delegates from multiple government agencies and leading regional conservation and development groups including the Amazon Conservation Team, Conservation International Suriname, Green Growth Suriname, and Wildlife & People Suriname.

    Over three days of deliberation, participants mapped ongoing developments across the region and aligned on shared priorities for South Suriname’s future. Discussions centered on the persistent structural challenges that indigenous communities face, most notably limited access to core public services: basic education, healthcare, reliable transport infrastructure, and other foundational amenities remain out of reach for many residents due to the region’s remote geographic location.

    Crucially, attendees emphasized that traditional indigenous knowledge and established local governance systems provide a robust, proven foundation for sustainable stewardship of South Suriname’s ecologically rich landscapes. The meeting’s agenda balanced two interconnected goals: advancing critical nature conservation efforts and driving inclusive socio-economic progress that improves quality of life for local communities. Participants stressed that future development projects cannot focus solely on building new infrastructure; any initiative must be aligned with the self-identified needs and traditional governance structures of the indigenous communities that call the region home.

    In a closing statement, Granman Jimmy Toeroeman reaffirmed the collective call for an equal partnership model, where the national government commits targeted investment to expand access to basic public services, and civil society organizations deliver customized support that responds directly to community priorities, rather than imposing external agendas. Toeroeman also underscored the urgency of collective action to secure formal legal recognition of indigenous land rights. “To get our fundamental land rights approved, we must stand together as one indigenous people,” he said. “Not as separate tribes, but as a united community.”

  • DPP defends instituting murder charges against MV Barima captain, others

    DPP defends instituting murder charges against MV Barima captain, others

    On Tuesday, 28 July 2026, Guyana’s top prosecutorial official Shalimar Hack, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), has stood by the decision to file murder charges against three crew members of the ferry MV Barima, while openly acknowledging the vessel had critical flaws in its navigation and safety infrastructure. The case has sparked sharp debate over the legal grounding of the charges and their potential impact on an upcoming independent public inquiry into the tragedy.

    Hacking explained that the decision to pursue murder charges followed a comprehensive review of available evidence, applicable legal principles, binding precedent from the United Kingdom, Commonwealth legal jurisdictions, the European Court of Human Rights, and broader public policy priorities. Notably, she did not directly address the core legal requirements for a murder conviction: proving criminal intent and malice aforethought against the three accused — 40-year-old captain Kevin Price of Melanie Damishana, East Coast Demerara; 42-year-old chief mate Rondell Dwayne Roberts of Grove Public Road, East Bank Demerara; and 33-year-old goods superintendent Delon Granderson of Fellowship, West Coast Demerara.

    Earlier the same day, defense attorneys Nigel Hughes and Darren Wade publicly raised urgent concerns over what they described as the fundamental weakness of the murder charges. The pair also questioned the timing and motive of the charges ahead of the upcoming Commission of Inquiry (COI), which will be led by a panel of Caribbean and international maritime experts.

    In a public Facebook post, Hughes outlined a key critique: if the three accused are formally charged with murder, they are likely to exercise their right to remain silent during the COI, out of concern that any testimony they give could be used as evidence against them in the subsequent criminal trial. This would leave critical questions about the tragedy unanswered before the inquiry, he argued.

    Hacking pushed back against these concerns, emphasizing that the upcoming independent inquiry established by Guyana’s President will not interfere with the criminal prosecution. She noted that parallel proceedings have functioned successfully in previous high-profile Guyanese cases, including 2018 piracy charges connected to the Berbice incident and fraud charges stemming from the 2020 Regional and General Elections, pointing to precedent for simultaneous processes.

    “Given the unprecedented magnitude of this matter, coupled with public interest factors, the prosecution will be conducted with due consideration of the work of the Commission of Inquiry,” Hack added.

    Under Article 187 of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is an independent body that operates free from direction or control by any other government authority or individual. The DPP holds statutory authority to initiate and oversee criminal proceedings against any person accused of violating Guyanese law, and maintains full control over all such prosecutorial processes.

    In line with these constitutional powers, Hack confirmed that her office conducted a full review of the investigative file compiled by the Guyana Police Force into the MV Barima tragedy, and formally advised law enforcement to file the murder charges that are now the subject of public controversy.

  • Champions League 2026 : Haiti wins against Cuba [3-2]

    Champions League 2026 : Haiti wins against Cuba [3-2]

    On July 28, 2026, at Puebla, Mexico’s Estadio Universitario BUAP, Haiti’s under-20 men’s national team—affectionately known as the Grenadiers—pulled off a dramatic 3-2 win against Cuba’s “Lions of the Caribbean” in their second Group A clash of the 2026 CONCACAF U-20 Championship. The result marked Haiti’s first victory of the tournament, a much-needed confidence boost following a lopsided 3-0 opening defeat to the United States three days prior.

    Heading into the match, Haitian head coach Raul Gonzalez Triana made just one forced change to the starting lineup that faced the U.S. Dieuvens Kenson Resil stepped into central defense to replace Stanley Volcin, who received a red card in the opening round loss. The full starting XI for Haiti featured goalkeeper Carlos Bré of Real Hope FA, captain Arthur Alcimé (Real Hope FA), Marckidens Tanis (AS Capoise), Resil (Mount Pleasant, Jamaica), Miguel Joseph (Exafoot), Ramy Fabilus (Real Hope FA), Clavens Exantus (Violette AC), Franco Célestin (Mount Pleasant), Emerson Left (Mount Pleasant), Shaun A Brun (Tacoma Defiance, U.S.), and Nikolaï Pierre (Orlando City, U.S.). Four second-half substitutions adjusted Haiti’s momentum: Jean Jules replaced Alcimé, Da-Benz Jacquet took Pierre’s spot, and J. Charles replaced Fabilus all in the 62nd minute, while E. Jean came on for Célestin in the 72nd, and K. Romulus replaced Exantus in the 81st.

    Haiti controlled the pace of play from the opening whistle, and they capitalized on their first clear chance in the 16th minute. Miguel Joseph pounced on a messy clearance from Cuba’s goalkeeper to slot home the opening goal, putting the Grenadiers up 1-0. The side extended their lead just 18 minutes later, when Emerson Laissé drew a penalty inside the 18-yard box, and Franco Célestin converted the spot kick to make it 2-0 heading into halftime.

    Cuba fought back hard in the final 10 minutes of regulation, finally breaking through for a goal in the 80th minute through Yankarlos Iglesias to cut the deficit to 2-1. The tight contest delivered even more late drama in second-half stoppage time: Da-Benz Jacquet appeared to put the game out of reach for Haiti with a third goal in the 92nd minute, pushing the score to 3-1. Just 60 seconds later, Cuba’s Robert Zerguera responded with a late goal of his own to make it 3-2, but the final whistle blew before Cuba could find an equalizer, handing all three points to Haiti.

    Following the result, the Group A table sees the U.S. sitting firmly atop the standings with six points from two wins, having not conceded a single goal so far. Haiti and Cuba are tied on three points apiece, with Haiti holding second place on the current tiebreaker after scoring three goals and conceding five, compared to Cuba’s five goals scored and three conceded. El Salvador remains at the bottom of the group with zero points from two losses, having failed to score so far in the tournament.

    Haiti will now turn its attention to its final group stage fixture, scheduled for July 31 against El Salvador. A positive result in that match will see Haiti advance to the tournament’s quarter-final stage, keeping its hopes of qualifying for the 2027 U-20 World Cup alive.