Concacaf Unveils Overhaul to Tournaments & Olympic Pathways
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Concacaf has announced a comprehensive revamp of its Youth National Team competitions calendar for the 2026–2029 cycle, introducing annual tournaments and streamlined qualification routes to the world stage. The move follows the recent release of the senior men's and women's calendars, aiming to provide consistent international experience for the region's rising stars.
The Confederation will maintain tournaments across three age groups for both men and women, serving as the official pathway to FIFA Youth World Cups. However, the structure of these events is set for a significant transformation.
The Shift to Annual Under-16 Competition
In a major departure from the previous biennial format, Concacaf will replace its Under-15 competitions with annual Under-16 tournaments. While 2026 will serve as a transition year, the new annual cycle officially begins in 2027.
These qualifiers, slated for August and September, will feature nations ranked 9th through 41st. Divided into eight groups, the winner of each group will secure a spot in the redesigned Under-17 Qualifiers, joining the region's top eight ranked teams.
Revamped Under-17 World Cup Path
The new-look Concacaf Under-17 Qualifiers will launch in 2027 with a streamlined 16-team format held every February. The competition structure for these 16 teams involves four groups of four in a round-robin format.
Men’s Pathway: The group winners and runners-up—eight teams in total—will qualify directly for the FIFA U-17 World Cup. Women’s Pathway: The four group winners will earn their place at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
By 2028, the participants will consist of the top eight ranked Member Associations and the eight group winners from the newly established Under-16 Qualifiers.
Stability for Under-20s and Olympic Stakes
While the younger age groups see radical changes, the Under-20 competitions will remain on their current biennial schedule.
The men’s editions are set for 2026 and 2028, serving as the gateway to the FIFA U-20 World Cup. Crucially, the 2026 tournament carries added weight, serving as the official qualifying event for the men’s football tournament at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
On the women’s side, the next editions will take place in 2027 and 2029 to determine the regional representatives for their respective FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cups.
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Bermuda Women’s National Team Announced
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Bermuda’s Senior Women’s national team is preparing for a landmark occasion as they host their first home match of the Concacaf W Qualifiers at the Flora Duffy South Field on March 3rd.
After opening their campaign with a 4-0 win over the Cayman Islands in November and a subsequent 4-1 loss to Guatemala in December, the squad is eager to bounce back on home soil. However, the headline act for this fixture isn't just the action on the pitch—it’s the historic partnership in the dugout.
In a first for Bermudian football, the national team will be led by a brother-and-sister coaching duo. National coach Naquita Robinson will have her brother, Calvin "Patches" Dill, by her side as assistant coach. Dill, the current head coach of the North Village Rams, brings a wealth of local experience to the international stage as they look to navigate a challenging Group C.
The team will once again be without LeiLanni Nisbeth, who has made herself unavailable for selection. Despite this absence, the squad remains bolstered by international experience, including Kenni Thompson, who currently ranks among the tournament's top assist providers.
The squad also welcomes back to the fold, goalkeeper Kimmisha Perinchief, the squad also welcomes Madison Mobray.
"Playing at home means everything to us," said Coach Naquita Robinson. "Once we hear the supporters and feel their energy, it will remind us of who we represent: our families, the community, and everyone who believes in us."
Bermuda’s Under-20s displayed immense character to rescue a hard-fought 2–2 draw against Trinidad and Tobago, after a late defensive collapse threatened to derail their Concacaf qualifying opener in Alajuela.
Trinidad and Tobago Starting Line-Up: - Bryan Gafiuk, Talan McMillan, Sheridan McNish, Adam Pierre, Jaydon Caprietta; Caden Trestrail, Josiah Ochoa, Colin Joseph, Malachi Webb, Phillip Nelson, Derrel Garcia - Substitutes: - Jadon Paul-Alexander, Sylvon Theophilus, Jeremy Meloney, Lyshaun Morris, Jaden Chan Tack, Josiah Kallicharan, Jadon McShine, Giovanni Hospedales, Dominic Joseph, Chaz Williams - Bermuda Starting Line-Up: - David Martin, Nayan Grant, Emeer Peets, Logan Jimenez, Khari Sharrieff, Jace Donawa, Xahvi DeRoza, Michari Tear-De Leon, Kennahz Fray, Harlem Bean-Fox, Kalen Brunson - Substitutes: - Curtis Jackson Jr., Daniel Powell, Dakari Smith-Davis, D’ari Coddington, Blayze Borgesson, Malachai Belboda, James Morrison, Qur'an Raynor, Isai Gibbons, DaQaio Stewart
In the fifth historical meeting between these two nations at this level, Bermuda appeared on course for a statement victory at the Complejo Deportivo FCRF-Plycem.
Following a resilient opening half hour, Jace Donawa broke the deadlock in the 38th minute. The striker showcased his blistering pace to latch onto a searching long ball, outmaneuvering his marker and calmly slotting past the advancing goalkeeper to give Cecoy Robinson’s side a deserved half-time lead.
However, the second half transformed into a test of Bermuda's resolve as the game swung wildly in the final quarter. Two minutes of defensive misfortune appeared to hand the initiative to Trinidad.
In the 78th minute, a moment of hesitation in the Bermuda box resulted in an own goal under intense pressure from the Trinidadian attack. Barely sixty seconds later, the turnaround was complete; a lapse in concentration at the back allowed Trinidad to regain possession directly from the restart and fire home to take a 2–1 lead.
Stunned but not defeated, Bermuda threw bodies forward in search of a late lifeline. It arrived in the 84th minute via substitute James Morrison. Rising highest in the penalty area, Morrison connected with a pinpoint free-kick delivered from deep in the Trinidadian half, looping a powerful header over the outstretched hand of the goalkeeper to level the scores.
The result maintains the historic parity between the two sides, with their head-to-head record now standing at one win apiece and three draws. For Bermuda, participating in their 14th qualification campaign, the point provides a vital platform as they prepare for Saturday's clash with Sint Maarten. With only the group winner progressing to the Championship in July, every moment of resilience like Morrison’s header could prove the difference in the final standings.
Monday, February 23, 2026
Bermuda Frustrated by Hosts in daunting Guatemala Tie
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Bermuda’s junior tennis stars faced a grueling afternoon under the cooling temperatures in Guatemala City, as the host nation delivered a clinical 3–0 sweep in their latest Under-16 Boys Round Robin fixture.
Competing in Group 1 of the Billie Jean King Cup and Davis Cup NAMCAM Pre-Qualifying Tournament, the Bermudian trio of Jaden Jones, Michael Collins, and Hasan Khan found the cold riddle to solve against a seasoned Guatemalan squad. The tone for the tie was set in the opening singles match, where Jorge Estevez utilized his home-court advantage to perfection, defeating Jones in straight sets 6-1, 6-0.
The mountain became even steeper in the second singles rubber as Michael Collins stepped up to face Martin Garcia. Despite a spirited second-set resistance from the Bermudian, Garcia’s consistency from the baseline proved decisive, securing a 6-2, 6-3 victory to give Guatemala an unassailable 2–0 lead.
Bermuda looked to salvage a point in the concluding doubles match, with Collins returning to the court alongside Hasan Khan. However, the Guatemalan pairing of Julian and Martin Garcia maintained their dominance at the net, closing out a 6-1, 6-2 win to complete the comprehensive victory.
The result leaves Bermuda with work to do in the remaining group stages as they target a spot in the final qualifying rounds in Canada this April. Veteran coach Brent Smith will now look to regroup his squad, focusing on technical adjustments to help the young stars find their rhythm.
Monday, February 23, 2026
Slowinski Appointed Bermuda’s Bowlers Head Coach
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Bermuda’s Men’s National Bowling team has made a significant statement of intent on the international stage, securing the services of world-renowned expert Joe Slowinski as their new head coach.
Slowinski arrives with one of the most decorated resumes in the sport. A USBC Gold Coach—the highest possible level of certification—he brings over 40 years of experience specializing in elite, data-driven, and biomechanical training. His career has spanned the globe, including highly successful stints in the Philippines and Malaysia, as well as a tenure as a master teaching professional at the prestigious Kegel Training Center in Florida.
Known for his scientific approach to the physical game, Slowinski has a proven track record of delivering silverware. He has coached national teams to gold medals at the Pan American, South American, and European Championships, and is widely regarded as a pioneer in modern coaching techniques.
The partnership has already begun in the digital space, with the Bermudian squad meeting their new mentor via an online session. Slowinski has wasted no time in laying the framework for a revamped training program, focusing on the technical and mental disciplines required to compete at the highest level.
The primary objective for Slowinski and the team is the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games, which will be hosted in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, this coming July. With the tournament serving as one of the major benchmarks for regional dominance, the appointment of such a high-caliber coach signals Bermuda's ambition to be standing on the podium when the final pins drop in the Caribbean.
