Barbados national football team facts for kids
![]() |
||||||||
Nickname(s) | Bajan Tridents | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Association | Barbados Football Association | |||||||
Confederation | CONCACAF (North America) | |||||||
Sub-confederation | CFU (Caribbean) | |||||||
Head coach | Orlando da Costa | |||||||
Captain | Hadan Holligan | |||||||
Most caps | Norman Forde (74) | |||||||
Top scorer | Llewellyn Riley (23) | |||||||
Home stadium | Wildey Turf | |||||||
FIFA code | BRB | |||||||
|
||||||||
FIFA ranking | ||||||||
Current | 162 ![]() |
|||||||
Highest | 92 (October 2009) | |||||||
Lowest | 181 (July 2017) | |||||||
Elo ranking | ||||||||
Current | 174 ![]() |
|||||||
Highest | 106 (16 July 2000) | |||||||
Lowest | 181 (November 2019) | |||||||
First international | ||||||||
![]() ![]() (Barbados; 20 April 1929) |
||||||||
Biggest win | ||||||||
![]() ![]() (St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda; 24 September 2006) |
||||||||
Biggest defeat | ||||||||
![]() ![]() (British Guiana; March 1931) ![]() ![]() (Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago; 25 March 2022) |
||||||||
Medal record
|
The Barbados national football team, nicknamed Bajan Tridents, is the national association football team of Barbados and is controlled by the Barbados Football Association. It has never qualified for a major international tournament. It came close to qualifying for the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup as it hosted the Caribbean Cup finals that acted as Gold Cup qualifiers, but finished fourth of the four teams. In 2001, it surprised many by making the semi-final round of the 2002 World Cup Qualifiers. In the first game of this round, they pulled off a shock 2–1 win over Costa Rica, but lost their five remaining games. In 2004, Barbados gained a shock 1–1 draw at home to Northern Ireland.
Contents
History
Beginnings (1929–1980)
Barbados played their first international match on April 20, 1929, against Trinidad and Tobago, ending in a 3–0 victory. In the 1930s, they participated in several editions of the Martínez Shield where they suffered their most severe defeat against Guyana (at that time, British Guiana), in Georgetown, in 1931, 9–0.
Barbados had to wait for the qualifying tournament for the 1972 Munich Olympic Games to play its first official competition match against the amateur team of El Salvador, on July 25, 1971, in Bridgetown, a match that saw the Selecta win 0–3. Two years later, Barbados participated in the 1974 Central American and Caribbean Games, in Santo Domingo, although it did not qualify past the first round. On August 15, 1976, Barbados defeated Trinidad and Tobago 2–1 (a brace by Victor Clarke) in the 1978 World Cup qualifiers, which doubled as qualification for the 1977 CONCACAF Championship. In the second leg, the Soca Warriors claimed their revenge (1–0) in Port of Spain, taking the tie to a third tiebreaker game, played in Bridgetown, on September 14, 1976, where Trinidad and Tobago won 1–3 eliminating Barbados.
1980–2000
In the '80s, the Bajan Braves obtained 2nd place in the 1985 CFU Championship. The following year they played the 1986 Central American and Caribbean Games, where they reached the quarterfinals, before being eliminated by the hosts, Dominican Republic. At the end of the decade, Barbados hosted the first edition of the Caribbean Cup, without being able to progress beyond the group stage.
In the 90s, Barbados would return to the World Cup qualifiers, in the preliminary tournament for the 1994 World Cup, where it was again eliminated by Trinidad and Tobago (5–1). In the 1998 World Cup qualifiers, after beating Dominica with an aggregate score of 2–0, Barbados was beaten down by Jamaica (0–1 in Bridgetown and 2–0 in Kingston). In the Caribbean Cup, the Bajan Braves qualified for the 1994 competition (eliminated in the first round) but subsequently failed to qualify for the annual competition from 1995–1999.
2000s
The 21st century started well for Barbados, who eliminated Cuba on penalties (5–4), after two 1–1 draws in Havana and Bridgetown, during the qualifying rounds for the 2002 World Cup. In the second round, they achieved a historic victory at home against Costa Rica (2–1), on July 16, 2000, with goals from Llewellyn Riley and Michael Forde. However after winning that match, the Barbadians lost the remaining fixtures, wasting their chance to advance to the final hexagonal.
They would return in 2001 to the final phase of the Caribbean Cup, although without much luck after being eliminated again in the first round. In the 2006 World Cup qualifiers, the Saint Kitts and Nevis team eliminated Barbados in the first phase, with an aggregate score of 5–2. In 2005, Barbados hosted (for the second time) the XII edition of the Caribbean Cup, finishing in 4th place. They also qualified for the 2007 and 2008 tournaments, eliminated both times in the group stage. In the preliminary tournament for the 2010 World Cup, Barbados was eliminated by the United States, over two legs, with a crushing aggregate result of 9–0.
2010–present
The qualifiers heading to the 2014 World Cup were a real ordeal for the Bajan Braves who were placed into a group with Bermuda, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago. They finished last in the group, with 2 goals scored and 14 conceded. After being eliminated in the preliminary phase of the Caribbean Cup in 2012 and after 17 months of inactivity, Barbados returned to play an international match, on March 2, 2014, against Jamaica, in Bridgetown, a match that concluded with victory for the Reggae Boyz, 2–0.
In the qualifying rounds for the 2018 World Cup, they would face the US Virgin Islands where they were surprised 0–1 at home, however, Barbados would overcome the deficit by a 0–4 victory on the road. Then they would face Aruba, winning 0–2 as a visitor, then beating them 1–0 at home however Barbados had fielded an ineligible player, Hadan Holligan, who was due to serve a suspension for collecting two yellow cards, therefore the second leg was awarded to Aruba 3–0, seeing them progress, eliminating Barbados.
Results and fixtures
The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
2022
Friendly 28 January | Suriname ![]() |
1–0 | ![]() |
Paramaribo, Suriname | ||
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2022/01/28/world/friendlies/surinam/barbados/3734583/ | Stadium: Frank Essed Stadion Referee: Sherwin Johnson (Guyana) |
|||||
Friendly 1 February | Guyana ![]() |
Suspended | ![]() |
Paramaribo, Suriname | ||
Stadium: Frank Essed Stadion |
||||||
Note: The match was abandoned in the 33rd minute, following four Barbados players confirmed positive COVID-19. |
Friendly 22 February | Martinique ![]() |
3–1 | ![]() |
Fort-de-France, Martinique | ||
https://www.national-football-teams.com/matches/report/33754/Martinique_Barbados.html | Stadium: Stade Pierre Aliker |
|||||
Friendly 25 March | Trinidad and Tobago ![]() |
9–0 | ![]() |
Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago | ||
19:00 (UTC−4) | Stadium: Hasely Crawford Stadium |
|||||
Friendly 27 March | Guyana ![]() |
5–0 | ![]() |
Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago | ||
19:00 (UTC−4) |
|
https://www.facebook.com/740605499386391/posts/4943321409114758/ | Stadium: Hasely Crawford Stadium |
|||
Nations League 3 June | Barbados ![]() |
0–1 | ![]() |
Gros Islet, Saint Lucia | ||
19:30 (UTC−4) | https://www.concacaf.com/en/nations-league/game-details?matchid=626284 | Philip ![]() |
Stadium: Daren Sammy Cricket Ground Referee: Moeth Gaymes (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) |
|||
Nations League 6 June | Cuba ![]() |
3–0 | ![]() |
Santiago de Cuba, Cuba | ||
16:00 (UTC−4) |
|
https://www.concacaf.com/en/nations-league/game-details?matchid=626301 | Stadium: Estadio Antonio Maceo Referee: Marco Ortíz (Mexico) |
|||
Nations League 9 June | Barbados ![]() |
0–1 | ![]() |
Gros Islet, Saint Lucia | ||
18:00 (UTC−4) | https://www.concacaf.com/en/nations-league/game-details?matchid=626320 | Stadium: Daren Sammy Cricket Ground Referee: Raúl Castro (Honduras) |
||||
Nations League 13 June | Guadeloupe ![]() |
2–1 | ![]() |
Les Abymes, Guadeloupe | ||
18:00 (UTC−4) | https://www.concacaf.com/en/nations-league/game-details?matchid=626336 | Stadium: Stade René Serge Nabajoth Referee: Melvin Matamoros (Honduras) |
||||
2023
Nations League 24 March | Barbados ![]() |
v | ![]() |
Barbados | ||
https://www.concacaf.com/en/nations-league/game-details?matchid=626353 | Stadium: TBD |
|||||
Nations League 27 March | Antigua and Barbuda ![]() |
v | ![]() |
Antigua and Barbuda | ||
https://www.concacaf.com/en/nations-league/game-details?matchid=626370 | Stadium: TBD |
|||||
Coaching history
Daniel Reid
Tom Burke
Jordan Emmett
Ryan Kontoh
Kevin Millard (1992)
Keith Griffith (1994)
Edward Smith (1996)
Eyre Sealy (1998)
Horace Beckles (2000)
Sherlock Yarde (2001)
Keith Griffith (2002)
Allison John (2003)
Kenville Layne (2003–04)
Mark Doherty (2005)
Eyre Sealy (2007–08)
Keith Griffith (2008)
Thomas Jordan (2008–10)
Colin Forde (2011–14)
Marcos Falopa (2014–15)
Colin Harewood (2015–17)
Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed (2017–2019)
Russell Latapy (2019–2022)
Orlando da Costa (2022-)
Players
Current squad
- The following players were called up for the 2022–23 CONCACAF Nations League matches.
- Match dates: 3, 5, 9 and 13 June 2022
- Opposition:
Antigua and Barbuda,
Cuba and
Guadeloupe (twice)
- Caps and goals correct as of: 13 June 2022, after the match against
Guadeloupe
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Kishmar Primus | 9 April 1998 | 26 | 0 | ![]() |
|
GK | Liam Brathwaite | 6 November 2000 | 13 | 0 | ![]() |
|
GK | Nashton Browne | 12 April 2001 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
|
|
||||||
DF | Ricardio Morris | 24 April 1993 | 44 | 1 | ![]() |
|
DF | Ramon Manning | 11 January 1993 | 12 | 0 | ![]() |
|
DF | Krystian Pearce | 5 January 1990 | 9 | 0 | ![]() |
|
DF | Andre Applewhaite | 3 June 2002 | 7 | 0 | ![]() |
|
|
||||||
MF | Hadan Holligan | 11 September 1996 | 52 | 5 | ![]() |
|
MF | Mario Williams | 19 August 1992 | 43 | 0 | ![]() |
|
MF | Jomo Harris | 15 February 1995 | 39 | 2 | ![]() |
|
MF | Ackeel Applewhaite | 17 July 1999 | 37 | 1 | ![]() |
|
MF | Akeem Hill | 1 November 1996 | 31 | 1 | ![]() |
|
MF | Nicoli Brathwaite | 24 December 2000 | 13 | 0 | ![]() |
|
MF | Darico King | 29 May 1997 | 12 | 0 | ![]() |
|
MF | Niall Reid-Stephen | 8 September 2001 | 10 | 1 | ![]() |
|
MF | Roshon Gittens | 5 February 2002 | 7 | 1 | ![]() |
|
MF | Nadre Butcher | 6 March 2004 | 6 | 0 | Free agent | |
MF | Sheran Hoyte | 21 February 2000 | 6 | 0 | ![]() |
|
MF | Azarel Croney | 16 June 1996 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
|
MF | Devonte Richards | 27 September 2002 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
|
MF | Jamol Williams | 20 April 2003 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
|
|
||||||
FW | Armando Lashley | 8 November 1991 | 38 | 3 | ![]() |
|
FW | Omani Leacock | 1 May 1998 | 21 | 2 | Free agent | |
FW | Keon Atkins | 19 May 1995 | 11 | 2 | ![]() |
|
FW | Tajio James | 17 December 2003 | 4 | 0 | ![]() |
Recent call-ups
The following players have been called up within the past 12 months.
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Justin Griffith | 18 February 2005 | 1 | 0 | Free agent | v. ![]() |
|
||||||
DF | Carl Hinkson | 14 April 1997 | 12 | 0 | Free agent | v. ![]() |
DF | Lemar Catlyn | 6 December 2002 | 4 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Honor Bradshaw | 28 February 2003 | 2 | 0 | Free agent | v. ![]() |
DF | Shay Prescod | 4 March 2004 | 2 | 0 | Free agent | v. ![]() |
DF | Zachary Ellis-Hayden | 1 March 1992 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
Nations League pre-match camp, 2 June 2022 |
|
||||||
MF | Xavier Clarke | 2 November 1998 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Reymar Walters | 18 April 2000 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Adio Forde | 27 June 2003 | 0 | 0 | Free agent | v. ![]() |
|
Player records
- Players in bold are still active with Barbados.
|
|
Competitive record
FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup qualification record | ||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | |
![]() ![]() |
Did not enter (as until 1966, British Barbados) | Did not enter | |||||||||||||
![]() |
Did not qualify | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | ||||||||
![]() |
Did not enter | Did not enter | |||||||||||||
![]() |
Withdrew | Withdrew | |||||||||||||
![]() |
Did not enter | Did not enter | |||||||||||||
![]() |
Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | ||||||||
![]() |
4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | |||||||||
![]() ![]() |
12 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 17 | 27 | |||||||||
![]() |
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | |||||||||
![]() |
4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 10 | |||||||||
![]() |
6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 14 | |||||||||
![]() |
Disqualified after qualifying for third round | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 4 | ||||||||
![]() |
Did not qualify | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | ||||||||
![]() ![]() ![]() |
To be determined | To be determined | |||||||||||||
Total | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 41 | 11 | 6 | 24 | 38 | 76 |
CONCACAF Gold Cup
CONCACAF Championship & Gold Cup record | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | GP | W | D* | L | GF | GA | |
![]() |
Did not enter | ||||||||
![]() |
|||||||||
![]() |
|||||||||
![]() |
|||||||||
![]() |
|||||||||
![]() |
|||||||||
![]() |
Did not qualify | ||||||||
![]() |
Withdrew | ||||||||
1985 | Did not enter | ||||||||
1989 | |||||||||
![]() |
|||||||||
![]() ![]() |
Did not qualify | ||||||||
![]() |
|||||||||
![]() |
|||||||||
![]() |
|||||||||
![]() |
|||||||||
![]() ![]() |
|||||||||
![]() |
|||||||||
![]() |
|||||||||
![]() |
|||||||||
![]() |
|||||||||
![]() |
|||||||||
![]() ![]() |
|||||||||
![]() |
|||||||||
![]() ![]() ![]() |
|||||||||
![]() |
|||||||||
![]() |
|||||||||
Total | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
CONCACAF Nations League
CONCACAF Nations League record | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Division | Group | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | P/R | Rank |
![]() |
C | A | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 4 | ![]() |
31st |
![]() |
B | A | To be determined | |||||||
Total | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 4 | 31st |
CFU Caribbean Cup
Head-to-head record
These all-time records are exclusively class 'A' internationals matches.
- Key
Winning record Equal record Losing record
Opponent | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 |
![]() |
7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 8 |
![]() |
6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 7 |
![]() |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
![]() |
2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
![]() |
13 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 16 | 19 |
![]() |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 9 |
![]() |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 4 |
![]() |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
![]() |
7 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 10 |
![]() |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
![]() |
12 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 18 | 11 |
![]() |
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
![]() |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
![]() |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
![]() |
18 | 9 | 7 | 2 | 32 | 18 |
![]() |
4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
![]() |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
![]() |
17 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 26 | 24 |
![]() |
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
![]() |
12 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 9 | 24 |
![]() |
8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 12 | 19 |
![]() |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
![]() |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
![]() |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
![]() |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
![]() |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
![]() |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
![]() |
10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 13 | 18 |
![]() |
8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 16 | 11 |
![]() |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 |
![]() |
16 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 25 | 21 |
![]() |
4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 5 |
![]() |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
![]() |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
![]() |
5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 1 |
![]() |
4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 20 |
Total | 190 | 70 | 45 | 76 | 259 | 267 |
See also
In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Barbados para niños
- Sport in Barbados
- Barbados 4–2 Grenada (1994 Caribbean Cup qualification)