Carib Scope

标签： Antigua and Barbuda

安提瓜和巴布达

  • WhatsApp to let users go by usernames, not phone numbers

    WhatsApp to let users go by usernames, not phone numbers

    One of the world’s most widely used messaging platforms, WhatsApp, is closing one of its longest-standing privacy vulnerabilities by rolling out a new feature that will allow users to connect with others exclusively through custom usernames, eliminating the mandatory requirement to share personal phone numbers to connect on the app. With over 3 billion active users across the globe, the Meta-owned social platform announced the update on Monday, opening up early reservations for unique usernames ahead of a full global rollout scheduled for later this year.

    WhatsApp product vice president Alice Newton-Rox told reporters that the new functionality has been built as a core privacy-focused feature, designed to put greater control of personal information into users’ hands. Unlike many social platforms that maintain public searchable directories of usernames and offer autocomplete search suggestions, WhatsApp’s system will be intentionally restricted: new contacts will only be able to reach a user if they know their exact username, cutting down on unwanted outreach from strangers who have obtained a user’s phone number through public or unscrupulous means.

    For years, WhatsApp has offered full end-to-end encryption for all communications across its smartphone, tablet and desktop versions, but the platform has carried a key privacy flaw: any user who possesses another person’s phone number can contact them directly on the app, regardless of whether they know the user personally. Up until this announcement, the platform’s only privacy tools to counter unwanted contact have been limited to blocking individual users and muting calls from unknown numbers, which many users have criticized as insufficient for protecting personal privacy.

    While the platform remains far less popular than native SMS texting in the United States, it has become a dominant communication tool across Europe, Asia, Latin America, Africa and most other regions globally, making this privacy update impactful for a huge swath of the global population. The company has already kicked off early reservations for usernames, a move designed to accommodate the expected rush for catchy, desirable handles that are highly sought after on digital platforms. Newton-Rox explained the decision to open early reservations, noting that high demand for popular usernames was the key driver for opening access ahead of the full feature launch.

    The platform has put rules in place to protect users from impersonation: usernames must fall between 3 and 35 characters, and the service will reserve high-profile handles for public figures, celebrities, government entities and notable organizations to prevent bad actors from impersonating prominent people or groups. No exact full launch date has been announced, with the company only confirming that the full functionality will roll out to all users in the coming months.

  • Implementing on the Global Governance Initiative, Advancing a More Just and Equitable Global Governance System

    Implementing on the Global Governance Initiative, Advancing a More Just and Equitable Global Governance System

    In an op-ed shared with audiences in Antigua and Barbuda, H.E. Jiang Wei, China’s Ambassador to the Caribbean nation, outlined the core vision and practical progress of China’s approach to global governance, tied to the June 2026 release of China’s new white paper *More Just and Equitable Global Governance: China’s Principles, Proposals and Actions*.

    Today’s international order stands at an inflection point, shaped by the most profound systemic shifts in a century. Peace and development, long held as the shared goals of the global community, now face unprecedented headwinds. Geopolitical frictions have intensified, sparking armed conflicts across multiple regions, while growing global economic fragmentation has choked off inclusive development pathways. Compounding these challenges, overlapping crises are accumulating at an accelerated pace, with new threats emerging in rapid succession. Unilateral power grabs and hegemonic interference have inflicted deep damage on the global order, flagrantly flouting international law and the long-accepted basic norms that govern cross-border relations.

    Against this backdrop, anti-globalization sentiment and protectionist policies are gaining traction, as economic and trade issues are increasingly politicized, turned into strategic tools, and even weaponized for geopolitical gain. The existing global governance framework has failed to keep pace with shifting global demographics, rising power of the Global South, and emerging transnational challenges, leaving its structural gaps and inequities increasingly impossible to ignore.

    This moment demands a fundamental reset of global governance: a new model that is more inclusive, fair, and sustainable, one that centers the underrepresented voices of Global South nations that have long been sidelined in key global decision-making processes.

    The framework for this reset was first laid out in September 2025, when Chinese President Xi Jinping launched the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), a comprehensive Chinese proposal that addresses the two defining questions of our era: what kind of global governance system the world needs, and how this system can be reformed and improved to meet modern challenges.

    Since its launch, the initiative has quickly garnered broad international buy-in, earning the support of nearly 160 countries and international organizations, with more than 60 nations joining the GGI’s Group of Friends to advance collaborative implementation.

    At its core, the GGI is built on five foundational principles. First, it enshrines sovereign equality as the non-negotiable starting point for all global governance. Every nation, regardless of its size, military power, or economic wealth, is entitled to have its sovereignty and national dignity respected, and to have an equal voice in decision-making and an equal share of the benefits of global cooperation. Second, it upholds international rule of law as the fundamental safeguard for fair governance. Only a system rooted in consistent, universally applied rule of law can deliver a level playing field for all nations’ development and build a truly just international order. Third, it advances multilateralism as the core path forward, urging all countries to uphold the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, protect the central coordinating role of the United Nations in global affairs, and prioritize multilateral dialogue and cooperative problem-solving. Fourth, it anchors global governance in a people-centered value framework, recognizing that the citizens of all countries are the true actors in global governance, and that improving public well-being is the ultimate goal of all collective action. Reform of global governance must deliver greater fulfillment, security and well-being for people across every region. Fifth, it prioritizes practical problem-solving as a key guiding principle, emphasizing that effective global governance must deliver tangible solutions to the real challenges facing nations today.

    Unlike many global initiatives that remain only words on paper, China has positioned itself as both a leading advocate and active implementer of the GGI. In the area of common security, China is a major contributor to UN peacekeeping operations: it is the second largest contributor to the UN peacekeeping budget and the largest provider of peacekeeping troops among the permanent members of the UN Security Council, and has developed a distinctive, dialogue-centered approach to de-escalating long-running international flashpoints. In pursuit of greater global fairness, China has driven the historic expansion of the BRICS bloc, supported the growth of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), backed the African Union’s gaining full membership in the G20, and launched and advanced a open, inclusive initiative for Global South cooperation. Through eight targeted support measures, China is helping Global South nations collectively advance along sustainable pathways to modernization. To foster greater global solidarity, China initiated and led the establishment of the International Organization for Mediation, filling a long-standing gap in global conflict mediation infrastructure. It has also convened the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations and the Ancient Civilizations Forum to build bridges of mutual understanding and learning across different cultural traditions. On the governance of emerging global challenges, China established the Kunming Biodiversity Fund to support global conservation action, and launched the Global Initiative on Data Security and the Global AI Governance Initiative to help develop inclusive, fair governance frameworks for these emerging domains.

    Global governance is a collective endeavor that requires constant forward progress; in an era of turbulence, standing still means falling backward. Today, as the world enters a new period of turbulent transformation, there is a greater need than ever to revitalize inclusive multilateralism, uphold universal international rule of law, and build a more effective global governance system. China stands ready to work side by side with the government and people of Antigua and Barbuda to deepen multilateral cooperation, advance the GGI’s goals through the principle of shared consultation, contribution and benefit, and jointly build a more just and equitable global governance system for all.

  • RCA donates $10,000 to UWI Five Islands Campus as part of yearly scholarship programme

    RCA donates $10,000 to UWI Five Islands Campus as part of yearly scholarship programme

    A long-running commitment to nurturing young talent in Antigua and Barbuda has taken concrete form, as the Rotary Club of Antigua (RCA) has formalized a new contribution to the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus (UWIFIC) through an EC$10,000 cheque donation. The gift, which forms part of the club’s ongoing scholarship programme and deepens its long-standing institutional partnership with the university, was presented during an intimate ceremony hosted at Rotary House.

    The donation was officially received by Adeola Matthew, manager of the Student Retention and Success Unit under UWIFIC’s Office of the Campus Registrar. Speaking on behalf of the service organization, RCA President Elisa Graham emphasized that access to quality education has remained a core strategic priority for Rotary globally, and specifically for the Antigua chapter, which views educational investment as foundational to Antigua and Barbuda’s long-term prosperity.

    Graham noted, “The Rotary Club of Antigua is proud to continue its partnership with the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus through this scholarship contribution. We believe that education is one of the most powerful tools for transforming lives and strengthening communities. This donation reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting students as they pursue their academic and professional aspirations.”

    The RCA president also extended public recognition to the all-volunteer scholarship committee, which spearheaded the initiative. Led by two past RCA presidents, Dr. Vanetta Rodgers and Dr. Errol Samuel, the committee also includes Rotarians Nabia Burton and Yasmine Ephraim. Graham credited the group’s consistent dedication and hard work for turning the annual scholarship commitment into a reality for students.

    In her response, Matthew expressed heartfelt gratitude for the club’s sustained investment in the campus’ student body. She highlighted that financial scholarship support does more than offset tuition costs—it directly improves student retention outcomes and raises overall graduation rates, opening pathways for economic mobility for young people across the country.

    “Partnerships like this demonstrate the power of community,” Matthew said. “The Club’s continued scholarship support has had a measurable impact on student success and retention, helping to ensure that more students can complete their studies and build brighter futures.”

    For the Rotary Club of Antigua, this donation is just one part of a decades-long legacy of local community impact. The organization has consistently prioritized educational projects, youth leadership development, and community infrastructure initiatives across Antigua and Barbuda, aligned with Rotary International’s global mission of service above self. Looking ahead, RCA says it plans to deepen its collaborative relationship with UWIFIC and continue investing in the development of Antigua and Barbuda’s next generation of leaders.

  • Supreme Court shuts down Trump’s effort to end birthright citizenship for millions

    Supreme Court shuts down Trump’s effort to end birthright citizenship for millions

    On a landmark Tuesday ruling that reverberated across American political and immigration circles, the US Supreme Court struck down a signature executive order from former President Donald Trump that sought to upend decades of established legal interpretation around birthright citizenship. The policy, which was a core plank of Trump’s presidential agenda even as legal experts widely questioned its constitutionality from its inception, has now been formally invalidated by the nation’s highest court.

    This outcome marks a notable political defeat for Trump, who centered much of his election campaign on curbing so-called “birth tourism” and made restrictive immigration policy — targeting both unauthorized and legal immigration — a defining priority of his second term in office. The court’s ruling leaves intact the long-standing legal principle that has guided American citizenship for more than a century: any person born within the territorial boundaries of the United States automatically qualifies for citizenship, regardless of the immigration status of their parents.

    Chief Justice John Roberts penned the majority opinion for the court, which drew bipartisan support from both conservative and liberal justices. Three prominent conservative members of the bench — Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Neil Gorsuch — broke with the majority to issue a dissent against the ruling.

    In his authoritative opinion reflecting the court’s majority position, Roberts emphasized the foundational role of citizenship in American democratic life. “Citizenship, then and now, was the right to have rights — to freely participate in our political community,” Roberts wrote. “The Framers of the Fourteenth Amendment extended that promise to ‘every free-born person in this land.’ We keep that promise today.”

  • Hopeful Hearts Foundation and WISH Officially Launch Inspirational Mural at Parham Primary School

    Hopeful Hearts Foundation and WISH Officially Launch Inspirational Mural at Parham Primary School

    On June 26, 2026, a transformative new community art project came to fruition at Parham Primary School in Parham Town, Antigua and Barbuda, as two local youth-focused organizations joined school leaders to officially launch a motivational mural designed to uplift students and reimagine positive learning environments.

    Created in partnership between the Hopeful Hearts Foundation and community well-being initiative WISH, the three-day collaborative project brought together artists, educators and students to turn a blank wall into a permanent reminder of young people’s limitless potential. The mural, which bears Hopeful Hearts Foundation’s official motto “Dare to Dream Big”, was designed by Chaneil Imhoff, WISH’s founder and the 2026 winner of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting Logo Competition. Imhoff’s design weaves together vivid colors and bold imagery to capture the spirit of ambition and possibility for every child who passes through the school’s gates.

    Far more than a decorative addition to the school campus, the mural was conceptualized to serve as a daily reminder that young people can dream beyond their immediate circumstances, trust in their own capabilities, and build purpose-driven futures. Unlike many external community projects, this initiative invited Parham Primary students to take an active role in the painting process, cultivating a sense of ownership, school pride and personal connection to the artwork’s core message.

    Reflecting on the experience, the Parham Primary School Student Council President shared enthusiastic excitement for the finished piece: “It was honestly very fun and exciting, even though we got a little bit messy. This whole thing looks very nice and I love how all of the colours look.”

    For Imhoff, the project held personal as well as community significance. “For me, it was an honour and a pleasure to not only collaborate with Hopeful Hearts Foundation, but to design the mural,” she explained. “We pulled inspiration from a range of sources and worked together to refine what we wanted this space to represent, but seeing it come to life at this scale was an amazing experience. It is even more meaningful because anyone who knows me knows that when something positive is happening, Parham Primary School will always be close to my heart. This is just the start of more work to come, not only in this community, but across every corner of Antigua and Barbuda.”

    Kristine Louisa, founder of the Hopeful Hearts Foundation, noted that the project aligned perfectly with her organization’s core mission. The youth-focused nonprofit, founded by National Youth Ambassador Kristine Louisa, runs community outreach, service projects and support programs to lift up young people across the country, with “Dare to Dream Big” embedded as its guiding ethos. “It means a lot that we were able to paint this amazing mural because if you have followed our journey, you will know that ‘Dare to Dream Big’ is Hopeful Hearts Foundation’s motto,” Louisa said. “It is a privilege to have our motto displayed here at Parham Primary School. We have supported the school in the past, including through the donation of school supplies, but this is an even bigger milestone for us. To know that our artwork is now a permanent part of the school environment, created in collaboration with WISH, is very special.”

    Parham Primary School principal Gayle Walter emphasized that the mural will do more than brighten the campus – it will act as a subtle, ongoing learning tool that shapes students’ mindsets. “This mural is more than a beautiful addition to our school,” Walter said. “It is a learning space, a source of inspiration, and a reminder that education does not only happen when a teacher is speaking and a child is listening. When children are surrounded by positive messages, they begin to absorb them. As they read, they ingest; as they ingest, it becomes part of their mindset, and that mindset influences their actions. We are grateful to the Hopeful Hearts Foundation and Madam Imhoff for helping us create something that will support the mental space of our children, improve the atmosphere of our school, and hopefully spill over into the wider community.”

    The project would not have been possible without the support of local sponsor Fast Lane Construction, which turned the two organizations’ shared vision into a tangible reality. Their backing has created a lasting legacy that will benefit generations of students, staff and local residents connected to Parham Primary School. Both Hopeful Hearts Foundation and WISH have announced plans to continue expanding this type of creative youth empowerment work, with future projects planned at Parham Primary and across communities throughout Antigua and Barbuda.

    WISH, founded by Imhoff, focuses on advancing mental health support, self-care advocacy and community healing across the region. Through creative public outreach, educational campaigns and local projects, the organization works to reduce stigma around mental health, build supportive community spaces and foster greater emotional well-being for all residents.

  • Liberty Caribbean Zero-Rates Calls to Venezuela

    Liberty Caribbean Zero-Rates Calls to Venezuela

    Telecommunications provider Liberty Caribbean has announced a significant policy shift, eliminating all charging for voice calls placed to Venezuelan phone numbers from its networks across the Caribbean region. The move comes as widespread political and economic instability continues to roil the South American nation, leaving millions of Venezuelan migrants and expatriates scattered across neighboring Caribbean countries struggling to maintain affordable connections with their family members back home.

    Many of these displaced individuals have faced soaring communication costs in recent years, as standard international calling rates put regular check-ins with loved ones out of reach for low-income migrant communities already grappling with housing, employment, and basic needs in their host nations. Liberty Caribbean’s decision to implement a zero-rate structure for calls to Venezuela removes this key financial barrier, allowing separated families to speak more frequently without the burden of unexpected or prohibitive bills.

    Industry analysts note that the policy adjustment reflects a growing trend of private sector entities stepping in to address humanitarian needs in the Latin American and Caribbean region, where political upheaval has created one of the largest displacement crises in the world. While the zero-rate policy is currently framed as a humanitarian measure, observers say it also positions Liberty Caribbean as a socially responsible leader in the regional telecommunications market, resonating with large migrant populations that rely heavily on cross-border connectivity.

  • Elderly Woman Reports Being Raped by Intruder Inside Her Home

    Elderly Woman Reports Being Raped by Intruder Inside Her Home

    In a disturbing incident that unfolded in the early hours of last Wednesday, a 67-year-old woman has filed a formal report alleging she was raped by an unknown intruder who broke into her residential property. The attack took place at approximately 3:30 a.m., according to official accounts of the event shared with law enforcement.

    Prior to the intruder gaining entry, the victim had taken proactive measures to block him from entering her home by securing her front door with wire in a desperate bid to reinforce the lock. Despite her quick efforts to fend off the unwanted visitor, the suspect overpowered the barrier, forcing his way inside the property and snapping the door’s existing chain lock in the process.

    Once inside, the suspect carried out the sexual assault against the victim, according to her statement to police. The attacker reportedly threatened to slit the elderly woman’s throat if she attempted to scream out for help, leaving her in a state of terror during the incident. Following a physical struggle between the victim and the intruder, the suspect fled the residence before authorities arrived at the scene.

    The victim was able to provide law enforcement with a detailed description of her attacker following the incident. She described the suspect as a dark-skinned man with upright hair, noting that he was not wearing any face covering to conceal his identity. Critically, the victim told investigators she would be able to recognize the man if confronted again, a detail that could prove pivotal for the ongoing investigation.

    Responding officers from local law enforcement completed a full forensic and investigative processing of the crime scene shortly after being alerted to the attack. The case has since been transferred to the department’s specialized Gender Affairs Division, which handles cases of gender-based violence and sexual assault to ensure specialized oversight and investigation. As of the latest update, repeated attempts by media outlets to secure additional information or an update on the status of the investigation from police officials have not yielded any response.

  • Opposition Calls for Tighter Limits on Digital Search Powers as Senate Passes Electronic Crimes Bill

    Opposition Calls for Tighter Limits on Digital Search Powers as Senate Passes Electronic Crimes Bill

    In a significant legislative development that has reignited debates over digital privacy and state surveillance powers, the upper legislative chamber has given final approval to the Electronic Crimes Bill, a piece of legislation aimed at modernizing the country’s legal framework for tackling cybercrime. The bill’s passage comes as law enforcement agencies have pushed for updated tools to investigate digital offenses, which have grown exponentially in frequency and sophistication in recent years, ranging from data breaches and ransomware attacks to cyber-enabled fraud and disinformation campaigns.

    However, political opposition figures have swiftly raised alarms over the breadth of digital search and seizure powers granted to authorities under the newly approved legislation, calling for urgent amendments to impose tighter, more targeted limits on how these powers can be deployed. Opposition lawmakers argue that the current wording of the bill leaves excessive room for overreach, potentially allowing state agents to conduct unwarranted searches of personal digital devices, access private communications without sufficient judicial oversight, and collect large troves of user data that go far beyond what is necessary for legitimate criminal investigations.

    Critics also note that the bill’s broad definitions of electronic crimes could open the door to misuse of these search powers to target political opponents, silence dissenting voices, and erode fundamental rights to digital privacy that are protected under the country’s constitution. The opposition has outlined a series of proposed changes, including mandatory independent judicial approval for all digital search warrants, strict limits on the retention period for collected user data, and clear carve-outs to protect sensitive information such as journalist sources, medical records, and private communications between legal representatives and their clients.

    Government supporters of the bill have pushed back against these criticisms, asserting that the new powers include adequate safeguards to prevent misuse and that the legislation is a critical update to allow law enforcement to keep pace with rapidly evolving cyber threats. They note that the bill was the subject of months of committee hearings and negotiations, and that the final text incorporates multiple changes to address early concerns raised by civil society groups and opposition lawmakers. The legislation now moves to the lower house of parliament for consideration, where the opposition is expected to push for its proposed amendments to tighten limits on digital surveillance authorities as the debate over balancing national security and digital privacy continues.

  • Before-and-After Photos Show Dramatic Transformation as HAPPI Builds New Home for Family of 30

    Before-and-After Photos Show Dramatic Transformation as HAPPI Builds New Home for Family of 30

    When a sprawling family of 30 people, most of them children, had been trapped in cramped, dangerous conditions in a rotting wooden home for far too long, a local charity initiative stepped in to change their lives forever. The Helping Antigua and Barbuda Progress Initiative (HAPPI) has unveiled striking before-and-after imagery that captures the extraordinary, ongoing transformation of the property – replacing the decaying original structure with a spacious, modern eight-bedroom, four-bathroom residence built to accommodate the entire extended family. HAPPI leadership has marked this project as the most ambitious undertaking in the organization’s history, noting that construction has presented unforeseen logistical and financial hurdles, but the entire team has remained unwavering in their commitment to delivering a permanent, safe home for the vulnerable household. The initiative extended public recognition to several key partners who made the project possible, including Minister for Social Transformation Rawdon Turner, local stakeholder Michael Joseph, and the on-site construction crew from HMP A-Team. Additional gratitude was offered to Mary Baltimore and the Social Protection Board, whose long-standing collaborative partnership and sustained support have been critical to keeping the project moving forward. Minister Turner, who has been personally invested in the effort from its earliest stages, shared that his first visit to the family’s original home left an indelible emotional mark on him. “The first time I stood in front of this home, I was overcome with emotion. I could not believe that children were waking up, going to bed, and trying to build their dreams in conditions like these,” Turner recalled. “It broke my heart. In that moment, I wasn’t just looking at an old house. I was looking at a family that deserved so much better. No child should have to grow up believing that this is all life has to offer.” Even though construction of the new home is not yet fully complete, Turner emphasized that the project has already sparked meaningful, life-changing improvement for all 30 family members. “This HAPPI project is still underway, but it is already transforming the lives of 30 individuals,” he said. “I am humbled and proud to be part of a government that does not turn away from hardship, but instead reaches into our communities with compassion, proving through every HAPPI project that we care deeply about the people of Antigua and Barbuda.” For the family, the new home represents far more than just new walls and a roof – it is a foundation for stability, safety, and brighter futures for the dozens of children who will grow up within it.

  • Antigua and Barbuda Names Final Squad for CONCACAF Under-20 Championship in Mexico

    Antigua and Barbuda Names Final Squad for CONCACAF Under-20 Championship in Mexico

    As the 2026 CONCACAF Under-20 Championship draws near, the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA) has finalized its 21-player squad for the regional tournament, which is set to kick off later this month in Mexico. The roster brings together a dynamic mix of homegrown talent developed through the country’s domestic league and rising prospects plying their trade at elite academies and youth programs across Europe and North America, with the team scheduled to depart for their pre-tournament training camp on July 2.

    This 43-day extended preparation period will give the squad ample time to acclimate to conditions and build on-field chemistry before Antigua and Barbuda kicks off its group stage campaign on July 24. The tournament, which wraps up with the final on August 9, doubles as a qualifying route for both the upcoming FIFA Under-20 World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games men’s football tournament. Antigua and Barbuda secured its spot in the 12-team field as the only qualifier from the Eastern Caribbean subregion, joining three other Caribbean nations — Jamaica, Cuba, and Haiti — in the main draw.

    Headlining the selected squad is 17-year-old Vaughn Jackson Jr., a prodigious young talent who already has a senior international cap to his name. Jackson made his senior debut as a substitute in a 2025 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Cuba last June, and currently plays his youth football at Brooke House College in England, where he has recently taken part in trial sessions with a number of professional clubs across the United Kingdom and continental Europe. Born in September 2008, Jackson remains one of the youngest players in the travelling squad, and is part of a large 11-player contingent of overseas-based prospects.

    Among that overseas group is 15-year-old Blake Philogene-Bidace, who holds an elite scholarship with the Tottenham Hotspur Academy in England and currently competes in the Premier League club’s Under-18 setup. Another standout prospect is goalkeeper Gavin Gonsalves, who recently penned an academy contract with Miami FC for the 2026 USL Championship season, becoming the fifth academy prospect at the club to earn a place in the first team squad this year.

    Dajari Barthley, who cut his teeth at England’s Bede’s Senior School, has earned two nominations for the UK’s National Junior Sportsman of the Year award, while Marco Micheal recently completed a trial with Spanish second-tier side FC Andorra — a club backed by former Barcelona defender Gerard Piqué — through the Future Pro UK player development pathway. Greg Williams is attached to the Ackworth PSG Academy in England, and Conroy Browne competes for SG Wattenscheid 09’s youth setup in Germany.

    Three additional prospects are based in the United States: Seth Black-Layne, who plays at North Carolina’s Combine Academy; Tegan Gumbs, a goalkeeper who competes in NCAA Division I with Purdue University Fort Wayne; and Brenden Skilling, who lines out for Florida-based ONE FC. Gumbs was particularly critical to Antigua and Barbuda’s qualifying run, where he kept four consecutive clean sheets as the side won all four of its qualifying matches without conceding a single goal. The nation secured its place at the tournament thanks to a late match-winning goal from Jamaica-based striker Brandon Stachell against the Dominican Republic during February’s qualifying tournament in Costa Rica.

    The remaining 10 spots on the squad are filled by domestic-based players who have worked their way up through the Antigua Premier Division and represented Antigua and Barbuda at multiple previous youth international levels.

    Drawn into Group B, Antigua and Barbuda will face a tough opening test against tournament hosts Mexico on July 24 at Puebla’s Estadio Cuauhtémoc, before taking on Guatemala three days later and closing out the group stage against Costa Rica on July 30. Only the top eight teams from the group stage will advance to the knockout round, with the final scheduled to take place at Mexico City’s Estadio Banorte on August 9.

    Head coach Shyan Jeffers says his squad has earned the chance to compete on one of North and Central America and the Caribbean’s biggest youth football stages, and is heading to Mexico with the goal of advancing to the knockout rounds. “This group has earned the right to be in Mexico,” Jeffers said. “We have players who have developed across the UK, Germany and the United States, and a strong domestic core that has come through the Premier Division. Together, we are going to Mexico to compete.”

    Jeffers will be supported by a full coaching and support staff, including team manager Roderick Williams, assistant coaches Donavan Peart and Derrick Edwards, goalkeeping coach Janiel Simon, trainer Coull Graham, and physiotherapist William Richards. Antigua and Barbuda will enter the tournament targeting a top-eight finish that would keep its dream of qualifying for both the FIFA Under-20 World Cup and the Olympic Games alive.