🏟️ Match Overview
The 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers kick off with a crucial Group B showdown on Friday, September 5, 2025 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain. The Soca Warriors, led by Dwight Yorke, host a Curaçao side guided by Dutch veteran coach Dick Advocaat. Both nations believe qualification is within reach, and this opening clash could set the tone for their campaigns.
- Kickoff: 8:00 pm TT (midnight UK)
- Group B Teams: Jamaica, Curaçao, Trinidad & Tobago, Bermuda
📋 Squad Lists
Trinidad & Tobago (Final 26-Man Squad)
Goalkeepers: Marvin Phillip, Jabari St Hillaire, Denzil Smith
Defenders: Darnell Hospedales, Kobi Henry, Rio Cardines, Josiah Trimmingham, Andre Raymond, Justin Garcia, Isaiah Garcia, Kaihim Thomas, Jerrin Jackie
Midfielders: Daniel Phillips, Kevin Molino, Wayne Frederick II, Andre Rampersad, Noah Powder, Steffen Yeates
Attackers: Nathaniel James, Levi Garcia, Ryan Telfer, Tyrese Spicer, Dante Sealy, Justin Obikwu, Real Gill, Kaïlé Auvray
Curaçao (Recent Core from Gold Cup)
Goalkeepers: Eloy Room, Trevor Doornbusch
Defenders: Juriën Gaari, Sherel Floranus, Roshon van Eijma, Joshua Brenet, Cuco Martina
Midfielders: Leandro Bacuna, Juninho Bacuna, Godfried Roemeratoe, Livano Comenencia, Kenji Gorré
Forwards: Jürgen Locadia, Jearl Margaritha, Gervane Kastaneer, Jeremy Antonisse, Brandley Kuwas
🔑 Key Players
- Trinidad & Tobago
- Levi Garcia – the Spartak Moscow winger is the main attacking outlet.
- Kevin Molino – veteran playmaker with 26 international goals.
- Tyrese Spicer – rising Toronto FC winger bringing pace and flair.
- Curaçao
- Eloy Room – the PSV goalkeeper provides leadership and composure.
- Leandro & Juninho Bacuna – the midfield duo that links play.
- Gervane Kastaneer – top scorer in the last round of qualifiers.
- Jeremy Antonisse – a clutch performer, scoring a dramatic Gold Cup equalizer.
📊 Form Guide
- Trinidad & Tobago
- Scored 16 goals in 4 games in Round 2, edging Grenada on goal difference.
- Recent results have been mixed, with defeats to USA and Saudi Arabia, but they remain a tough side to beat at home.
- Only 3 defeats in their last 14 World Cup qualifiers on home soil.
- Curaçao
- Perfect record in Round 2 and chasing a fourth straight World Cup qualifying win.
- Strong defensive record in the Gold Cup, drawing against Canada and El Salvador while narrowly losing to Honduras.
- Only one defeat in their last 10 WCQ matches.
⚽ Tactical Setup
- Trinidad & Tobago (Dwight Yorke)
Likely 4-2-3-1: Molino in the No.10 role, Levi Garcia as the main striker, and width from Spicer or Telfer. Expect compact defensive lines with Rampersad and Phillips shielding the back four. - Curaçao (Dick Advocaat)
Flexible 4-2-3-1 / 4-3-3: disciplined defensively, dangerous on the counter, and a threat from set pieces. Kastaneer or Locadia to lead the line, supported by wide runners like Antonisse and Margaritha.
Predicted Lineups:
- T&T XI: Phillip; Cardines, Alvin Jones, Justin Garcia, Raymond; Sealy, Rampersad; Molino, Phillips, Spicer; L. Garcia
- Curaçao XI: Room; Floranus, Gaari, Van Eijma, Carolina; Comenencia, Roemeratoe; Margaritha, Chong, Antonisse; Kastaneer
🏁 Final Verdict
This fixture has all the ingredients for a dramatic opener.
- Trinidad & Tobago’s strengths: passionate home crowd, firepower from Levi Garcia, and youthful depth.
- Curaçao’s strengths: disciplined defensive shape, European-based experience, and attacking threats from Kastaneer and Antonisse.
📊 Prediction: Draw (1–1 or 2–2) — both teams have the firepower to score, but defensive lapses suggest this could be a high-energy, balanced contest.
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