PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) — Trinidad and Tobago’s (T&T) Soca Warriors received a major boost as they move full steam into 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers courtesy of TT$6.8 million ($156 million) in funding from their Government on Thursday.

The cheque, totalling TT$6,792,353, was presented to Trinidad & Tobago Football Association (TTFA) President Kieron Edwards by Sport Minister Shamfa Cudjoe-Lewis, as part of efforts to support the men’s national football team’s journey to qualify for the World Cup, hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the USA.

The funds represent the first instalment of a pledged US$2 million ($311 million) to be distributed over two years and is expected to cover items such as coaches’ fees, support for local training, local games, foreign games, airline tickets, and other team expenses.

T&T’s campaign started with a 2-2 draw with Grenada in June 2024 at Hasely Crawford Stadium.

They will complete the second round of qualification with crucial matches against St Kitts and Nevis on June 6 at home, and away against Costa Rica on June 10.

If successful, they’ll advance to the third round starting in September 2025, at which time TTFA will be in line for another instalment from its Government.

The Dwight Yorke-led Soca Warriors will see competitive action for the first time in March 2025 when T&T will face Cuba on a home-and-away basis in a Concacaf Gold Cup preliminary matchup.