PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad — With their World Cup qualification hanging by a thread, Trinidad and Tobago’s senior men’s football team is facing a moment of reckoning. Ahead of a pivotal showdown with Jamaica, defender Kobi Henry has delivered a no-nonsense message to the squad: the time for slow starts is over.
Currently sitting third in Group B of the Concacaf qualifiers with five points, the Soca Warriors must win their final two group matches—beginning with group leaders Jamaica on November 13—if they’re to keep their dream of a 2026 World Cup berth alive.
Speaking during a Monday training session, Henry emphasized the urgency.
“We’re excited, but we know exactly what’s at stake. There’s no room for hesitation anymore,” said the 20-year-old defender. “From the very first whistle, we need to impose ourselves.”
Throughout the campaign, Trinidad and Tobago have shown flashes of quality but often left themselves playing catch-up due to sluggish openings. Henry, who plies his trade in the United States, made it clear the team can no longer afford to wait for the game to come to them.
“We’re at home. The crowd will be behind us. It’s time we start dictating games instead of reacting to them.”
With head coach Dwight Yorke now entering the decisive phase of group play, the team is looking to harness the energy of the Hasely Crawford Stadium faithful to fuel a relentless start.
“The fans can give us that extra push,” Henry added. “With two home matches, the setup is ideal. But it’s up to us to seize it.”
The team will be bolstered by the addition of 18-year-old forward Roald Mitchell, who joins the senior squad for the first time. However, they’ll be without key midfielder Rio Cardines, sidelined through injury.
The second and final fixture will see the Soca Warriors face Bermuda on November 18, a match that could become do-or-die depending on Thursday’s result.
Squad Overview:
Goalkeepers:
Jabari Brice, Marvin Phillip, Denzil Smith
Defenders:
Isaiah Garcia, Justin Garcia, Kobi Henry, Deron Payne, Noah Powder, Andre Raymond, Josiah Trimmingham
Midfielders:
Kaile Auvray, Daniel David, Wayne Frederick II, Real Gill, Jerrin Jackie, Kevin Molino, Daniel Phillips, Andre Rampersad, Dante Sealy, Tyrese Spicer, Lindell Sween, Steffen Yeates
Forwards:
Levi Garcia, Nathaniel James, Roald Mitchell, Ryan Telfer
With everything on the line and the crowd expected to turn Hasely Crawford into a cauldron, Thursday night promises intensity, emotion, and a test of character. One thing is clear: if T&T want to reach the World Cup, the battle starts before the first whistle.
