BACK TO FOOTBALL | Local Sports

National footballers Levi Garcia, Tyrese Spicer and Rio Cardines are eager to get back on the field for Trinidad and Tobago’s Warriors as they begin their 2026/27 CONCACAF Nations League A Group A campaign.

T&T kick off tonight against Haiti at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica, in the first of four matches in 11 days. The demanding stretch includes games against two opponents—Haiti and Curaçao —who featured at the 2026 FIFA World Cup just two months ago. The Nations League campaign also provides a route to the 2027 CONCACAF Gold Cup, with T&T hosting the Dominican Republic on Sunday at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, before facing Curaçao twice.

Spicer and Cardines have both made impressive starts to the season at club level. Spicer has formed a productive partnership with Antoine Griezmann while scoring goals for Orlando City in Major League Soccer, while Cardines, on loan from Crystal Palace to Bristol City, has provided six assists in his first eight English Championship appearances. Spicer believes the Warriors have a clear mission ahead of them.

“I think our focus is the mission ahead for the boys to come and represent in the Nations League. It’s a big task—Haiti, Dominican Republic and Curaçao—two World Cup teams,” Spicer stated in an interview with TTFA Media.

Cardines, meanwhile, is expecting a demanding opening assignment against Haiti, whom T&T last faced in a 1-1 draw at the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup in the United States.

“Haiti is a very strong opponent; we know them. We played them in the Gold Cup over a year ago. We know they’re strong, physical, quick, and direct, so we just look to match them, play our game, and hope to get the win.”

Cardines ready to perform

Cardines, 20, is relishing the opportunity to represent T&T, with his last appearance for the national team coming against Uzbekistan in the FIFA Series in March. The call-up comes at an exciting time in the England-born utility player’s young career, following his loan move from Crystal Palace to Bristol City. His six assists in eight matches have helped make the opening months of his loan spell particularly productive.

Cardines said the past three to four months have been a remarkable period.

“It’s been a lot. My Premier League debut, lifting a European trophy (with Crystal Palace), going on to Bristol City, and topping the league with assists and chances created. It’s just been really, really high,” Cardines explained.

For Spicer, the Nations League presents an opportunity for T&T to make up for their disappointment in last year’s FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.

“This is a good opportunity to go and play against these good teams and also make it to the quarter-finals and the semi-finals, and maybe play against America, Mexico or Canada,” he said.

“It’s an exciting feeling. I’ve just been waiting for a good opportunity to come and play for Trinidad and Tobago, and all the boys are even really excited to go and play. Best foot forward, and we can do something.”

Cardines is equally eager to return to international action and faces the challenge of a demanding four-match camp.

“I just love playing football, especially to have four games in one camp, which is really great, a bit tough, but nothing we have ever seen. I’m really excited, and it’s good to be back with the team. It’s been a while since our last camp, so I’m really looking forward to playing.”

Spicer acknowledged the physical and mental demands of the schedule, with four matches to be played in a short space of time.

“I think these four games is a lot. I feel like in two weeks, mentally, physically and emotionally, it will be tough,” Spicer noted. “But I think we’ve been through this in club football.”

Cardines is also keen to put his full focus on representing T&T, saying the off-field issues that had surrounded the team, including concerns over unpaid salaries and the possibility of a players’ boycott, are no longer a distraction.

“Everything is in shape; everything is where it needs to be right now to encourage us for these games,” Cardines said. “So I feel we’re in a good position, and we just need to really work hard and take these games.”

Skipper Garcia speaks

Meanwhile, captain Levi Garcia also acknowledged his team would be facing tough opponents in the series but said, “I have full confidence in what we are going to try to accomplish.”

Referring to the recent payment issues Garcia acknowledged that, “there is stuff that always needs to be dealt with… We are still finishing up with a couple of stuff but so far things have been going well and this is something that needs to be done in the professional world.”

He added: “You have to be able to balance both on and off the field. So we came here to get the job done and we are going to try our best to do it.”