Antigua and Barbuda national football team facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Antigua and Barbuda

Nickname(s)	The Benna Boys
Association	Antigua and Barbuda Football Association
Confederation	CONCACAF (North America)
Sub-confederation	Caribbean Football Union (Caribbean)
Head coach	Mikele Leigertwood
Captain	Quinton Griffith
Most caps	Peter Byers (91)
Top scorer	Peter Byers (44)
Home stadium	Antigua Recreation Ground Sir Vivian Richards Stadium
FIFA code	ATG
First colours Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current	126 (7 February 2019)
Highest	70 (October 2014)
Lowest	170 (December 2003 – January 2004)
Elo ranking
Current	167 5 (3 March 2019)
Highest	131 (November 2010)
Lowest	179 (November 2007)
First international
Trinidad and Tobago 11–1 Antigua and Barbuda  (Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago; 10 November 1972)
Biggest win
Antigua and Barbuda 10–0 U.S. Virgin Islands  (North Sound, Antigua & Barbuda; 11 October 2011)
Biggest defeat
Trinidad and Tobago 11–1 Antigua and Barbuda  (Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago; 10 November 1972)
CFU Championship/Caribbean Cup
Appearances	11 (first in 1978)
Best result	CFU Championship: Runners-up (1988) Caribbean Cup: Group stage (2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)
Medal record CFU Caribbean Cup Silver 1988 Martinique Team

The Antigua and Barbuda national football team is the official football team for the country of Antigua and Barbuda. It's often called "the Benna Boys." The team was started in 1928. It is managed by the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association. This association is part of CONCACAF and the Caribbean Football Union (CFU). So far, the team has not qualified for the FIFA World Cup or the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

History

First International Match

The Antigua and Barbuda team played its first international game on November 10, 1972. It was a FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Trinidad and Tobago. The game was tough, and Trinidad and Tobago won 11–1. This is still the team's biggest loss.

Games Against European Teams

On December 17, 2005, the team played its first game against a European country. They played Hungary in a friendly match in Florida, USA. Hungary won the game 3–0. Later, on May 2, 2016, they played another friendly against a European team, Estonia. Estonia won that game 1–0.

Team Look

Nicknames

The official nickname for the Antigua and Barbuda national football team is "the Benna Boys." This name comes from a type of music from Antigua and Barbuda, similar to calypso. The team chose this name in a contest in 2012. This happened after they did well in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers. Other names suggested were "Beach Boys" and "Rhythm Warriors." In the past, people sometimes called the team "the Wadadli Boys."

Kit Suppliers

The team's uniforms have been made by the Spanish company Joma since March 2021. This was before the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

Recent Games

The Antigua and Barbuda national team plays many matches throughout the year. These include qualifying games for the FIFA World Cup and the CONCACAF Nations League. Their results can vary, with wins, draws, and losses. They are always working hard to improve their game.

Coaching Staff

Current Coaching Staff

Here are the people who currently coach and support the team:

Name	Position
Mikele Leigertwood	Head coach
Neil Schyan Jeffers	Assistant coach
Lenny Hewlett	Assistant coach
Janiel Simon	Goalkeeper coach
Evans Jones	Trainer
Horatio Morrison	Physiotherapist
Malcolm Challenger	Equipment manager

Manager History

Polish manager Piotr Nowak was in charge when Antigua and Barbuda reached their highest FIFA ranking (70) in October 2014.

Many different coaches have led the Antigua and Barbuda national team over the years. Here is a list of some of them:

Name	Period	Matches	Wins	Draws	Losses	Notes
Rudi Gutendorf	1976
Zoran Vraneš	1998–2000					Fourth place at the 1998 Caribbean Cup
Walter Gama	2001–2002
Rolston Williams	2004
Derrick Edwards	2005–2008
Willie Donachie	2008	16	8	3	5
Rowan Benjamin	2008–2011	11	4	3	4
Tom Curtis	2011–2012	21	8	3	10	Reached the semifinal round of the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers
Rolston Williams	2012–2014	6	4	0	2
Piotr Nowak	2014–2015	12	5	2	5	Team reached its highest FIFA Ranking (70) under his leadership
Rolston Williams	2015–2018	8	3	0	5
Derrick Edwards	2018–2019	6	2	1	3
Michél Dinzey	2019–2020	10	4	0	6
Mikele Leigertwood	2021–present	9	5	1	3

Players

Current Squad

These players were chosen for the 2024–25 CONCACAF Nations League B games in October 2024.

Caps (games played) and goals are correct as of October 15, 2024, after the game against  Dominican Republic.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
	1GK	Nick Townsend	(1994-11-01) 1 November 1994 (age 30)	11	0	Newport County
	1GK	Zaieem Scott	(2004-07-10) 10 July 2004 (age 20)	8	0	Green City
	1GK	Jayden Martin	(2002-11-07) 7 November 2002 (age 22)	1	0	All Saints United
	2DF	Daniel Bowry	(1998-04-29) 29 April 1998 (age 27)	23	1	St Albans City
	2DF	Kieron Richards	(1995-06-29) 29 June 1995 (age 29)	13	0	Grenades
	2DF	Tyrique Tonge	(2001-03-14) 14 March 2001 (age 24)	13	0	SAP
	2DF	Zafique Drew	(2003-08-30) 30 August 2003 (age 21)	9	0	All Saints United
	2DF	Antonio Morgan	(2006-03-29) 29 March 2006 (age 19)	4	0	Bromley U21
	2DF	Jahzinho O'Garro	(2002-12-12) 12 December 2002 (age 22)	2	0	Oakland County FC
	2DF	Zaire Scott	(2003-05-31) 31 May 2003 (age 22)	1	0	Grenades
	3MF	Quinton Griffith (captain)	(1992-02-27) 27 February 1992 (age 33)	85	10	Grenades
	3MF	Kendukar Challenger	(1998-01-24) 24 January 1998 (age 27)	21	0	All Saints United
	3MF	Dion Pereira	(1999-03-25) 25 March 1999 (age 26)	7	1	Dagenham & Redbridge
	3MF	Tyrik Hughes	(2005-07-13) 13 July 2005 (age 19)	5	0	Aston Villa
	3MF	Daryl Massicot	(2005-02-12) 12 February 2005 (age 20)	4	0	Grenades
	3MF	Sean Tomlinson	(2004-03-25) 25 March 2004 (age 21)	2	0	Grenades
	3MF	Zahiem Green	(2003-08-15) 15 August 2003 (age 21)	1	0	Empire FC
	4FW	Javorn Stevens	(1998-05-09) 9 May 1998 (age 27)	34	4	Hoppers
	4FW	D'Andre Bishop	(2002-10-02) 2 October 2002 (age 22)	25	3	All Saints United
	4FW	Eugine Kirwan	(1993-01-01) 1 January 1993 (age 32)	23	1	Grenades
	4FW	Raheem Deterville	(1999-12-01) 1 December 1999 (age 25)	18	2	Old Road
	4FW	Shafeeq Joseph	(2001-05-24) 24 May 2001 (age 24)	2	0	Pigotts Bullets

Recent Call-ups

These players have also been asked to join the Antigua and Barbuda squad in the last year.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Shahoi Dorsett	(2004-06-23) 23 June 2004 (age 20)	0	0	Aston Villa	v.  Bermuda; 10 September 2024
GK	Brent Parker	(1990-08-16) 16 August 1990 (age 34)	2	0	Swetes	v.  Guyana; 21 November 2023
DF	Vashami Allen	(1997-05-09) 9 May 1997 (age 28)	14	0	Grenades	v.  Bermuda; 10 September 2024
DF	Cardel Roberts	(2001-05-04) 4 May 2001 (age 24)	7	0	Aston Villa	v.  Bermuda; 10 September 2024
DF	Shavorn Phillip	(1996-09-09) 9 September 1996 (age 28)	21	1	Old Road	v.  Cayman Islands; 8 June 2024
DF	Roneba Cordice	(2005-11-25) 25 November 2005 (age 19)	2	0	All Saints United	v.  Cayman Islands; 8 June 2024
DF	Aaron Taylor-Sinclair	(1991-04-08) 8 April 1991 (age 34)	13	0	Airdrieonians	v.  Guyana; 21 November 2023
DF	Zaine Francis-Angol	(1993-06-30) 30 June 1993 (age 31)	28	0	Buxton	v.  Bahamas; 17 October 2023
MF	Kwame Kirby	(1998-11-17) 17 November 1998 (age 26)	6	0	Aston Villa	v.  Bermuda; 10 September 2024
MF	TJ Bramble	(2001-05-09) 9 May 2001 (age 24)	17	2	Welling United	v.  Cayman Islands; 8 June 2024
MF	Ashley Nathaniel-George	(1995-06-14) 14 June 1995 (age 30)	11	1	Maidenhead United	v.  Guyana; 21 November 2023
FW	Keon Greene	(2000-07-27) 27 July 2000 (age 24)	3	0	Potters FC	v.  Bermuda; 10 September 2024
FW	Eroy Gonsalves	(2006-09-18) 18 September 2006 (age 18)	1	0	Aston Villa	v.  Bermuda; 10 September 2024
FW	Josh Parker	(1990-12-01) 1 December 1990 (age 34)	44	6	Oxford City	v.  Cayman Islands; 8 June 2024
FW	Jalmaro Calvin	(2003-06-30) 30 June 2003 (age 21)	1	0	Cavalier	v.  Cayman Islands; 8 June 2024
FW	Dayonn Harris	(1997-08-29) 29 August 1997 (age 27)	1	0	New Mexico United	v.  Cayman Islands; 8 June 2024
FW	Shalon Knight	(2000-03-04) 4 March 2000 (age 25)	6	0	Swetes	v.  Guyana; 21 November 2023
FW	Carl Osbourne	(1992-12-16) 16 December 1992 (age 32)	6	1	Grenades	v.  Bahamas; 17 October 2023

Player Records

These tables show which players have played the most games and scored the most goals for Antigua and Barbuda. Players whose names are in bold are still playing for the team.

Peter Byers has played the most games and scored the most goals for Antigua and Barbuda.

Most Appearances

Top Goalscorers

Tournament History

FIFA World Cup

Antigua and Barbuda has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup. They started trying to qualify for the 1974 World Cup. They have played many qualification games over the years.

FIFA World Cup											Qualification
Year	Result	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA	Squad		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1930 to 1970	Not a FIFA member										Not a FIFA member
1974	Did not qualify										4	0	0	4	3	22
1978	Did not enter										Did not enter
1982
1986	Did not qualify										2	1	0	1	2	5
1990											2	0	0	2	1	4
1994											4	1	1	2	5	6
1998											2	0	1	1	4	6
2002											6	1	2	3	4	15
2006											2	1	0	1	2	3
2010											4	2	0	2	7	8
2014											12	5	1	6	32	18
2018											4	2	0	2	6	6
2022											4	2	1	1	6	5
2026	To be determined										2	0	1	1	1	2
2030											To be determined
2034
Total		0/13									48	15	7	26	73	100

CONCACAF Gold Cup

The team has also never qualified for the CONCACAF Gold Cup. This is the main football tournament for teams in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. They have played many qualification matches for this cup.

CONCACAF Championship & Gold Cup record											Qualification record
Year	Result	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA	Squad		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1963	Part of  United Kingdom										Part of  United Kingdom
1965
1967
1969
1971
1973	Did not qualify										4	0	0	4	3	22
1977	Did not enter										Did not enter
1981
1985	Did not qualify										2	1	0	1	2	5
1989											2	1	1	0	1	4
1991	Did not enter										Did not enter
1993	Did not qualify										2	1	0	1	1	1
1996											3	1	2	2	6	11
1998											2	0	0	2	1	5
2000											11	4	2	5	24	17
2002											3	0	1	2	4	5
2003											5	0	1	4	1	8
2005											3	1	0	2	6	8
2007											6	2	0	4	8	17
2009											9	4	3	2	19	16
2011											6	2	2	2	4	5
2013											3	1	0	2	3	3
2015											9	4	2	3	14	11
2017											6	3	0	3	10	8
2019											4	2	0	2	10	8
2021											6	3	0	3	8	17
2023											7	3	0	4	5	12
Total		0/22									93	33	14	46	130	183

CONCACAF Nations League

The CONCACAF Nations League is a newer competition for teams in North, Central America, and the Caribbean. Antigua and Barbuda has played in this league since it started. They usually play in League B, which is the second division.

CONCACAF Nations League record
League											Finals
Season	Division	Group	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA	P/R		Finals	Results	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	Squad
2019−20	B	C	6	3	0	3	8	17			2021	Ineligible
2022–23	B	A	6	3	0	3	5	7			2023
2023–24	B	D	6	1	1	4	9	22			2024
2024–25	B	D	6	0	1	5	2	15			2025
2026–27	C	To be determined									2027
Total	—	—	24	7	2	15	24	61	—		Total	0 Titles	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

CONCACAF Nations League history
First match	Jamaica 6–0 Antigua and Barbuda  (6 September 2019; Montego Bay, Jamaica)
Biggest win	Antigua and Barbuda  4–1  Bahamas (14 October 2023; Nassau, Bahamas)
Biggest defeat	Jamaica 6–0 Antigua and Barbuda  (6 September 2019; Montego Bay, Jamaica)  Guyana 6–0 Antigua and Barbuda  (21 November 2023; Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic)
Best result	—
Worst result	—

CFU Caribbean Cup

The Caribbean Cup was a football tournament for teams in the Caribbean. Antigua and Barbuda has played in this cup many times. Their best result was finishing as runners-up in 1988. They also finished fourth three times.

CFU Championship & Caribbean Cup record											Qualification record
Year	Result	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA	Squad		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1978	Fourth place	4th	5	1	1	3	4	8	Squad		2	1	1	0	3	0
1979	Did not qualify										2	0	0	2	0	2
1981	Did not enter										Did not enter
1983	Fourth place	4th	7	2	2	3	11	10	Squad		4	2	2	0	10	5
1985	Did not qualify										2	1	0	1	2	2
1988	Runners-up	2nd	5	1	4	0	5	4	Squad		2	1	1	0	2	1
1989	Did not qualify										4	3	0	1	4	2
1990											3	0	1	2	2	5
1991	Did not enter										Did not enter
1992	Group stage	7th	3	0	1	2	2	12	Squad		3	3	0	0	8	0
1993	Did not qualify										2	1	0	1	1	1
1994											2	1	0	1	10	3
1995	Group stage	7th	3	1	0	2	3	8	Squad		2	0	2	0	3	3
1996	Withdrew										Withdrew
1997	Group stage	6th	2	0	0	2	1	5	Squad		Qualified as hosts
1998	Fourth place	4th	5	2	0	3	11	9	Squad		3	2	1	0	11	3
1999	Did not qualify										3	0	1	2	2	5
2001											3	0	1	2	4	5
2005											3	1	0	2	6	8
2007											6	2	0	4	8	17
2008	Group stage	7th	3	0	2	1	3	6	Squad		6	4	1	1	16	10
2010	Group stage	5th	3	1	0	2	2	4	Squad		3	1	2	0	2	1
2012	Group stage	8th	3	1	0	2	3	3	Squad		Qualified as hosts
2014	Group stage	7th	3	0	1	2	2	7	Squad		6	4	1	1	12	4
2017	Did not qualify										6	3	0	3	10	8
Total	Runners-up	11/25	42	9	11	22	47	76	—		67	30	14	23	116	85

***A red border means Antigua and Barbuda was the host country for that tournament.

Honours

Regional

• CFU Championship/Caribbean Cup
  • Runners-up (1): 1988

See also

In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Antigua y Barbuda para niños