Trinidad and Tobago national football team facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Trinidad and Tobago

Nickname(s)	The Soca Warriors
Association	Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
Confederation	CONCACAF (North America)
Sub-confederation	CFU (Caribbean)
Head coach	Dwight Yorke
Captain	Aubrey David
Most caps	Angus Eve (117)
Top scorer	Stern John (70)
Home stadium	Hasely Crawford Stadium
FIFA code	TRI
First colours Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current	93 1 (7 February 2019)
Highest	25 (June 2001)
Lowest	106 (October 2010)
Elo ranking
Current	98 3 (3 March 2019)
Highest	36 (1937)
Lowest	121 (October 2020)
First international
British Guiana 1–4 Trinidad and Tobago  (British Guiana; 21 July 1905)
Biggest win
Trinidad and Tobago 15–0 Anguilla  (Arima, Trinidad and Tobago; 10 November 2019)
Biggest defeat
Mexico 7–0 Trinidad and Tobago  (Mexico City, Mexico; 8 October 2000)  United States 7–0 Trinidad and Tobago  (Orlando, United States; 31 January 2021)
World Cup
Appearances	1 (first in 2006)
Best result	Group stage (2006)
CONCACAF Championship / Gold Cup
Appearances	18 (first in 1967)
Best result	Runners-up (1973)
Medal record CONCACAF Gold Cup Silver 1973 Haiti Team Bronze 1989 North America Team CFU Caribbean Cup Gold 1981 Puerto Rico Team Gold 1988 Martinique Team Gold 1989 Barbados Team Gold 1992 Trinidad and Tobago Team Gold 1994 Trinidad and Tobago Team Gold 1995 Cayman Islands and Jamaica Team Gold 1996 Trinidad and Tobago Team Gold 1997 Antigua and Barbuda and Saint Kitts and Nevis Team Gold 1999 Trinidad and Tobago Team Gold 2001 Trinidad and Tobago Team Silver 1978 Trinidad and Tobago Team Silver 1983 French Guiana Team Silver 1991 Jamaica Team Silver 1998 Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica Team Silver 2007 Trinidad and Tobago Team Silver 2012 Antigua and Barbuda Team Silver 2014 Jamaica Team Bronze 1993 Jamaica Team Bronze 2005 Barbados Team

The Trinidad and Tobago national football team, known as the "Soca Warriors", plays for the country of Trinidad and Tobago in international soccer games. This team is managed by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association. They are part of CONCACAF, which is the soccer group for North, Central American, and Caribbean countries. They are also part of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) and FIFA, the world's main soccer organization.

The Soca Warriors play in big tournaments like the World Cup, Gold Cup, and the Nations League. Their only time playing in the FIFA World Cup was in 2006. They made it there by beating Bahrain in a special play-off game. The team has played in the CONCACAF Gold Cup 18 times. Their best result was reaching the semi-finals in 2000. They were very successful in the old Caribbean Cup, winning it ten times and coming in second seven times.

It's important to know that the separate football teams for Trinidad and Tobago are not the same as the national team. They are not directly linked to FIFA or CONCACAF.

History of the Soca Warriors

Early Years: 1970s Challenges

In 1973 CONCACAF Championship, Trinidad and Tobago almost made it to the 1974 World Cup. They needed just a few more points. In a key game against Haiti on December 4, 1973, they lost 2-1. There was some controversy because five of their goals were not counted. The referee and a linesman were later banned from soccer for life because of what happened in that match.

The Strike Squad: 1980s and 1990s

The team, known as the "Strike Squad", came very close to qualifying for the 1990 World Cup in Italy. They only needed a tie in their last home game against the United States on November 19, 1989. More than 30,000 fans filled the Hasely Crawford Stadium. But Paul Caligiuri from the United States scored the only goal, ending Trinidad and Tobago's World Cup dream. Even though they lost, the fans were given the FIFA Fair Play Award in 1989 for their good behavior.

2000s: World Cup Debut

Making it to the 2006 FIFA World Cup

Trinidad and Tobago qualified for the 2006 World Cup in Germany. This was their first time ever reaching the tournament! They were struggling at first in the qualifying games. But then, Leo Beenhakker became the coach, and experienced players like Dwight Yorke and Russell Latapy returned. This helped the team turn things around. They finished fourth in their group. They then won a play-off game against Bahrain, winning 1-0 away after a 1-1 draw at home. This win secured their spot in the World Cup. Trinidad and Tobago became the smallest country to qualify for the World Cup at that time. This record was later broken by Iceland in 2018.

In Germany, Trinidad and Tobago was in a group with England, Sweden, and Paraguay. Their first game was a 0-0 draw against Sweden, even though they played with only ten players for part of the game. They lost their next two matches to England and Paraguay, both by a score of 2-0.

2010s: World Cup Qualification Attempts

2010 World Cup Journey

Trinidad and Tobago started their journey for the 2010 World Cup against Bermuda. They lost the first game at home but won the second game away to move forward. They then played in a group with the United States, Guatemala, and Cuba. They did well enough to reach the final round of qualifying. In this round, they faced tough teams like Costa Rica and Mexico. They started with two draws but then lost several games. This meant they did not qualify for the 2010 World Cup.

2014 World Cup Journey

For the 2014 World Cup, Trinidad and Tobago started in the second round. They were in a group with Guyana, Bermuda, and Barbados. They won their first two matches against Bermuda and Barbados. However, they later lost to Bermuda away. They needed to get points from their games against Guyana to move on. They lost a crucial game to Guyana 2-1, which ended their hopes of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup. After this, their coach, Otto Pfister, was replaced.

2018 World Cup Journey

Trinidad and Tobago began their 2018 World Cup qualifying in the fourth round. They were in a group with Guatemala, Saint Vincent and the Grenades, and the United States. They finished second in their group and moved on to the final round. However, in the final round, they finished last. But they did win their last match 2-1 against the United States, which stopped the U.S. from qualifying for the World Cup for the first time since 1986.

2022 World Cup Journey

For the 2022 World Cup, Trinidad and Tobago started in the first round. They were in a group with Saint Kitts and Nevis, Puerto Rico, Bahamas, and Guyana. They finished second in their group with 8 points. This meant they did not qualify for the 2022 World Cup.

2026 World Cup Journey

Trinidad and Tobago has started their qualification journey for the 2026 World Cup. They are in Group B with Saint Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, Bahamas, and Costa Rica.

Team Image

Home Stadium

Hasely Crawford Stadium became the home of the national team in 1980

For many years, Trinidad and Tobago played their home games at different places. The Queen's Park Oval, a beautiful cricket ground, was often used. Then, the new National Stadium was built in Port of Spain. This stadium was made for both track and field and international soccer matches.

The stadium was later updated and renamed after Hasely Crawford. He was the first person from Trinidad and Tobago to win an Olympic gold medal. This happened before Trinidad and Tobago hosted the 2001 FIFA U-17 World Championship. The stadium can hold 23,000 people. The government of Trinidad and Tobago owns it.

Recently, the TTFA has also used the smaller 10,000-seat Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva. They sometimes use it because of lighting issues at Hasely Crawford Stadium. It also costs less to play there, and fans can sit closer to the field. Ato Boldon Stadium hosted two important World Cup qualifying games in 2017. Trinidad and Tobago lost to Honduras there. But they famously beat the United States 2-1, which stopped the U.S. from going to the 2018 World Cup.

Supporters

Trinidad and Tobago supporters before the team's opening 2006 World Cup match against Sweden

The main group of fans for the national team is called the Soca Warriors Supporters Club, or the "Warrior Nation". This group is not part of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association. It was started after Trinidad and Tobago qualified for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

The group helps promote the team both at home and around the world. They also talk to the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association on behalf of fans. They work to make sure ticket prices are fair and help fans travel to games. The Warrior Nation also tries to get young people in Trinidad and Tobago excited about soccer.

Coaching Staff

Here are some of the people who help coach and manage the team:

Position	Staff
Technical Director	Anton Corneal
Head Coach	Derek King
Assistant Coach	Elijah Wilby
Goalkeeper Coach	Rogerius Kimble
Academy Manager	Borlin Kumar Jr.
Equipment Manager	Mack Cummings
Fitness Coach	Renatus Prince
Doctor	Georginus Southwood
Logistics Manager	Anil Chowdhury
Physiotherapist	Denzal Carr
Massage Therapist/Trainer	Hakeem Edwards
Team Manager	Elanus Turing
Media Officer	Cletus Monroe

Managers

Many different managers have led the Trinidad and Tobago national football team over the years. Some have been from Trinidad and Tobago, while others have come from different countries like Germany, Brazil, and the Netherlands. These managers help train the players and decide the team's strategy for games.

Players

Current Squad

These are the 23 players recently chosen for the team's matches in October 2024. The numbers below show how many games they've played (caps) and goals they've scored, up to September 10, 2024.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
	1GK	Adrian Foncette	(1988-10-10) 10 October 1988 (age 36)	24	0	Police FC
	1GK	Denzil Smith	(1999-10-12) 12 October 1999 (age 25)	15	0	Port of Spain
	1GK	Christopher Biggette	(1996-02-17) 17 February 1996 (age 29)	4	0	Defence Force
	2DF	Joevin Jones	(1991-08-03) 3 August 1991 (age 33)	90	13	Police FC
	2DF	Aubrey David	(1990-10-11) 11 October 1990 (age 34)	86	1	C.S.D. Municipal
	2DF	Alvin Jones	(1994-07-09) 9 July 1994 (age 31)	57	6	Police FC
	2DF	Sheldon Bateau	(1991-01-29) 29 January 1991 (age 34)	55	4	Beveren
	2DF	Triston Hodge	(1994-10-09) 9 October 1994 (age 30)	32	0	Hartford Athletic
	2DF	Justin Garcia	(1995-10-26) 26 October 1995 (age 29)	23	1	Defence Force
	2DF	Ross Russell Jr.	(1992-01-09) 9 January 1992 (age 33)	18	0	La Horquetta Rangers
	2DF	Shannon Gomez	(1996-10-05) 5 October 1996 (age 28)	16	0	San Antonio FC
	3MF	Kevin Molino	(1990-06-17) 17 June 1990 (age 35)	60	23	Unattached
	3MF	Noah Powder	(1998-10-27) 27 October 1998 (age 26)	23	2	Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC
	3MF	Michel Poon-Angeron	(2001-04-19) 19 April 2001 (age 24)	16	1	Port of Spain
	3MF	Andre Rampersad	(1995-02-02) 2 February 1995 (age 30)	16	1	HFX Wanderers
	3MF	John-Paul Rochford	(2000-01-05) 5 January 2000 (age 25)	14	2	Port of Spain
	3MF	Isaiah Lee	(1999-09-21) 21 September 1999 (age 25)	6	0	La Horquetta Rangers
	3MF	Dantaye Gilbert	(2004-12-03) 3 December 2004 (age 20)	3	0	Jong PSV
	4FW	Ryan Telfer	(1994-05-04) 4 May 1994 (age 31)	31	10	HFX Wanderers
	4FW	Real Gill	(2003-01-23) 23 January 2003 (age 22)	10	1	Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC
	4FW	Nathaniel James	(2004-06-17) 17 June 2004 (age 21)	9	3	Mount Pleasant
	4FW	Kevon Woodley	(1986-07-06) 6 July 1986 (age 39)	5	1	Police FC
	4FW	Tyrese Spicer	(2000-12-04) 4 December 2000 (age 24)	0	0	Toronto FC

Most Games Played

These players have played the most games for Trinidad and Tobago. Players in bold are still playing for the national team.

Top Goal Scorers

These players have scored the most goals for Trinidad and Tobago.

Stern John is Trinidad and Tobago's all time top scorer with 70 goals.

Players in bold are still playing for the national team.

Team Achievements

FIFA World Cup History

Trinidad and Tobago first played in the 2006 FIFA World Cup. They finished last in their group with one point. However, they earned their first World Cup point by drawing 0-0 with Sweden in their first game. The team did not qualify for the World Cup between 1966 and 2002, and again from 2010 to 2022.

FIFA World Cup											Qualification
Year	Result	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	Squad		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1930 to 1962	Not a FIFA member										Not a FIFA member
1966	Did not qualify										4	1	0	3	5	12
1970											4	1	1	2	4	10
1974											9	6	1	2	27	8
1978											6	2	2	2	10	9
1982											4	1	2	1	1	2
1986											4	0	1	3	2	7
1990											12	5	5	2	13	6
1994											4	2	1	1	7	4
1998											8	2	1	5	15	10
2002											22	10	4	8	33	28
2006	Group stage	27th	3	0	1	2	0	4	Squad		20	11	2	7	30	25
2010	Did not qualify										18	5	5	8	22	30
2014											6	4	0	2	12	4
2018											16	5	2	9	20	28
2022											4	2	2	0	6	1
2026	To be determined										2	1	1	0	9	3
2030											To be determined
2034
Total	Group stage	1/15	3	0	1	2	0	4			143	58	30	55	216	187

CONCACAF Gold Cup History

The CONCACAF Gold Cup is a big tournament for teams in North, Central America, and the Caribbean. Trinidad and Tobago has played in it many times. Their best result was finishing as runners-up in 1973 and third place in 1989 and 2000.

CONCACAF Championship & Gold Cup record											Qualification record
Year	Result	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	Squad		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1963	Did not enter										Did not enter
1965	Withdrew										Withdrew
1967	Round-robin	4th	5	2	0	3	6	10	Squad		4	2	1	1	7	7
1969	Round-robin	5th	5	1	1	3	4	12	Squad		Qualified automatically
1971	Round-robin	5th	5	1	2	2	6	12	Squad		Qualified as hosts
1973	Round-robin	2nd	5	3	0	2	11	4	Squad		4	3	1	0	16	4
1977	Did not qualify										6	2	2	2	10	9
1981											4	1	2	1	1	2
1985	Group stage	7th	4	0	1	3	2	7	Squad		Qualified automatically
1989	Round-robin	3rd	8	3	3	2	7	5	Squad		4	2	2	0	6	1
1991	Group stage	5th	3	1	0	2	3	4	Squad		5	3	0	2	12	5
1993	Did not qualify										5	2	1	2	10	10
1996	Group stage	7th	2	0	0	2	4	6	Squad		5	4	0	1	21	3
1998	Group stage	6th	2	1	0	1	5	5	Squad		4	2	1	1	9	3
2000	Third place	3rd	4	2	0	2	6	8	Squad		5	4	0	1	18	6
2002	Group stage	10th	2	0	1	1	1	2	Squad		5	4	0	1	13	3
2003	Did not qualify										7	3	0	4	8	9
2005	Group stage	10th	3	0	2	1	3	5	Squad		10	7	0	3	22	8
2007	Group stage	11th	3	0	1	2	2	5	Squad		5	3	1	1	13	6
2009	Did not qualify										6	3	2	1	11	8
2011											6	4	0	2	13	6
2013	Quarter-finals	6th	4	1	1	2	4	5	Squad		11	6	3	2	23	7
2015	Quarter-finals	5th	4	2	2	0	10	6	Squad		7	5	2	0	16	5
2017	Did not qualify										4	1	0	3	8	8
2019	Group stage	14th	3	0	1	2	1	9	Squad		Qualified automatically
2021	Group stage	12th	3	0	2	1	1	3	Squad		6	1	3	2	10	11
2023	Group stage	13th	3	1	0	2	4	10	Squad		6	4	1	1	12	4
Total	Runners-up	18/27	68	18	17	33	80	118			119	66	20	31	269	125

CONCACAF Nations League History

The CONCACAF Nations League is a newer competition. Trinidad and Tobago has been moving between different levels (Leagues A and B) in this tournament.

CONCACAF Nations League record
League											Finals
Season	Division	Group	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	P/R		Year	Pos.	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA	Squad
2019−20	A	C	4	0	2	2	3	9			2020	Did not qualify
2022–23	B	C	6	4	1	1	12	4			2023	Ineligible
2023–24	A	A	4	3	0	1	10	9			2024	Did not qualify
2024–25	A	B	4	1	2	1	5	7			2025
Total	—	—	18	8	5	5	30	29	—		Total	0 Titles	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

Caribbean Cup History

The Caribbean Cup was a regional tournament where Trinidad and Tobago had a lot of success. They won the championship ten times and were runners-up seven times.

CFU Championship & Caribbean Cup record										Qualification record
Year	Result	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	Squad		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1978	Runners-up	3	1	1	1	5	4	Squad		2	1	0	1	6	5
1979	Fourth place	3	0	0	3	1	6	Squad		2	2	0	0	3	1
1981	Champions	3	3	0	0	10	0	Squad		6	2	3	1	10	7
1983	Runners-up	3	2	0	1	4	4	Squad		Qualified as champions
1985	Did not qualify									4	1	2	1	7	4
1988	Champions	3	2	1	0	7	1	Squad		4	4	0	0	14	1
1989	Champions	3	2	0	1	5	3	Squad		4	3	0	1	16	4
1990	Abandoned	2	1	1	0	5	0	Squad		Qualified as champions
1991	Runners-up	5	3	0	2	12	5	Squad		Qualified as champions
1992	Champions	5	5	0	0	14	2	Squad		Qualified as host
1993	Third place	5	2	1	2	10	10	Squad		Qualified as champions
1994	Champions	5	4	1	0	17	4	Squad		Qualified as host
1995	Champions	5	4	0	1	21	3	Squad		Qualified as champions
1996	Champions	5	5	0	0	13	2	Squad		Qualified as champions
1997	Champions	4	2	1	1	9	3	Squad		Qualified as champions
1998	Runners-up	5	4	0	1	18	6	Squad		Qualified as champions
1999	Champions	5	5	0	0	19	4	Squad		Qualified as host
2001	Champions	5	4	0	1	13	3	Squad		Qualified as champions
2005	Third place	3	1	0	2	5	6	Squad		7	6	0	1	17	2
2007	Runners-up	5	3	1	1	13	6	Squad		Qualified as host
2008	Group stage	3	1	1	1	4	4	Squad		3	2	1	0	7	4
2010	Group stage	3	1	0	2	1	3	Squad		3	3	0	0	12	3
2012	Runners-up	5	2	2	1	6	5	Squad		6	5	1	0	20	2
2014	Runners-up	4	2	2	0	7	4	Squad		3	3	0	0	9	1
2017	Did not qualify									4	1	0	3	8	8
Total	23/25	92	59	12	21	219	88			48	33	7	8	129	42

Honours and Awards

Major Competitions

Continental Awards

• CONCACAF Championship/Gold Cup
  • Runners-up (1): 1973
  • Third place (1): 1989

Regional Awards

• CFU Championship/Caribbean Cup
  • Champions (10): 1981, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2001
  • Runners-up (7): 1978, 1983, 1991, 1998, 2007, 2012, 2014
  • Third place (2): 1993, 2005

Friendly Tournament Awards

• OSN Cup
  • Third place (1): 2013
• Coupe Duvalier
  • Third place (1): 1966

FIFA World Ranking History

The FIFA World Ranking shows how well national teams are doing compared to others around the world. Here's how Trinidad and Tobago's ranking has changed over the years. Last updated: December 23, 2021

     Best Ranking       Worst Ranking       Best Mover       Worst Mover  

Trinidad & Tobago's FIFA World Ranking History
Rank	Year	Best		Worst
		Rank	Move	Rank	Move
103	2021	100	3	103
103	2020	103	2	105	1
104	2019	92	1	104	9
92	2018	79	7	93	13
87	2017	76	16	99	16
78	2016	49	6	78	13
49	2015	49	8	67	7
55	2014	49	37	86	13
78	2013	69	9	87	12
68	2012	68	11	85	7
76	2011	76	11	95	7
89	2010	76	28	106	21
82	2009	63	7	82	9
77	2008	77	12	102	20
81	2007	63	19	87	14
91	2006	47	5	91	24
50	2005	50	5	62	3
63	2004	63	14	77	7
70	2003	47	1	71	12
47	2002	34	3	47	7
32	2001	25	11	36	5
29	2000	29	9	49	4
44	1999	40	11	72	17
51	1998	44	12	59	11
56	1997	42	13	74	18
41	1996	33	15	50	4
57	1995	55	27	85	28
91	1994	83	10	95	5
88	1993	85	1	89	23

More About Trinidad and Tobago Football

In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Trinidad y Tobago para niños

• TT Pro League (the top soccer league in Trinidad and Tobago)
• Trinidad and Tobago men's national under-20 football team
• Trinidad and Tobago men's national under-17 football team
• Trinidad and Tobago women's national football team
• Football in Trinidad and Tobago