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Twenty-two-year-old CF Montreal flanker Dante Sealy is set to make his senior international debut for Trinidad and Tobago against Saint Kitts and Nevis in a 2026 World Cup qualifier on Friday, as Men’s National Senior Team head coach Dwight Yorke announced his 26-man squad today.
Sealy is the only uncapped player in Yorke’s squad and one of 13 inclusions to the team that lost to Jamaica and Ghana in the Unity Cup last week.
Attacker Levi Garcia is back, for the first time since his February move to Spartak Moscow, along with Toronto FC winger Tyrese Spicer, Atlanta United midfielder Ajani Fortune and AV Alta FC goalkeeper Denzil Smith.
Defence Force forward Isaiah Leacock, who scored on his international debut against Jamaica, kept his place in the team alongside Crystal Palace teenager Rio Cardines and Defence Force goalkeeper Jabari St Hillaire.
Jong PSV midfielder Dantaye Gilbert, CSD Municipal defender Aubrey David and Al-Khaboura SC midfielder Duane Muckette are among the players who miss out.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.
Yorke said he had a difficult job in culling the 54 players he has worked with so far to 26 names.
“It is not an easy decision leaving out these players [and] we recognise the contributions that these players have made,” said Yorke. “It is not the end of the road. The door is still open. But this [26-man squad] is where my focus is.
“I make football decisions, I don’t make personal decisions. I make decisions to try and get Trinidad and Tobago results.”
By tomorrow, Wednesday 4 June, Yorke has to reduce his active player pool further. It is his deadline to submit the 23 names which will represent Trinidad and Tobago at the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup.
(via TTFA Media.)
“Unfortunately, three other players will have to miss out—but that’s how tight it has been and that is the kind of competition I want,” he said. “I haven’t taken the job to make easy decisions. I’ve taken the job to make difficult ones.”
Trinidad and Tobago face USA (15 June), Haiti (19 June) and Saudi Arabia (22 June) in the Gold Cup group stage, immediately after World Cup qualifiers against Saint Kitts and Nevis (6 June) and Costa Rica (10 June) respectively.
The Soca Warriors need a win against Saint Kitts and Nevis to advance to the third and final Concacaf qualifying group. A draw or defeat would leave Yorke’s troops requiring at least a point away to Costa Rica on 10 June to be sure.
(via TTFA Media.)
The omens are good though. Trinidad and Tobago have never lost to the Sugar Boyz in a competitive match while the Warriors won their last nine consecutive matches against the team from the Leeward Islands.
“There is no complacency in this team,” said Yorke. “We certainly respect Saint Kitts and Nevis as a team and we are preparing for a tough game.
“On paper, it looks like a game we should win—but we know how the game is played, and the players need to understand there is work to be done. We know if we perform and perform to our ability we will get a result.”
Molino was fouled in this attack but scored from the subsequent free kick by teammate Rio Cardines.
(via TTFA Media.)
After their 4-0 loss to Ghana on Saturday, Yorke’s biggest defeat in the international arena thus far, the coach vowed to usher in a “new era” for Trinidad and Tobago football with exciting additions.
“There is a new selection of players that are coming […] once the window is fully open on 1 June,” Yorke told the TTFA Media. “[…] I know that not many people in Trinidad and Tobago are familiar with these names [which will be added to the Soca Warriors team] and I think a lot of people will get a real shock to the system. But because we have done our due diligence and we have done our research on players’ details, they have now come into the system.
(via TTFA Media.)
“There are a few eyebrows that will be raised… We are entering into a new era and we have been lucky and fortunate enough that they agreed to come and play for Trinidad and Tobago.”
Sealy was the only new face today though. And it was not quite a bolt from the blue either.
Son of former Trinidad and Tobago international Scott Sealy, Dante Sealy was first invited to represent the two-island republic by former coach Terry Fenwick in 2021.
Diem is Dante Sealy’s younger sister.
Photo: TTFA Media.
At the time, Sealy was an active member of the United States National Under-20 Team and not prepared to switch allegiances. He has 14 national youth caps with four goals.
However, he has not represented the United States at any level in four years. And, in April, his younger sister Diem Sealy represented Trinidad and Tobago for the first time in the 2025 Concacaf Under-17 Championship.
Dante will now follow his sister in wearing the red, black and white strip.
(via CF Montreal.)
Yorke paid homage to a familiar face as well, in the form of 34-year-old ace midfielder Kevin Molino.
A two-time World Youth Cup player, Molino was discarded by then head coach Angus Eve after the 2023 Gold Cup. Yorke said the silky playmaker did not look the part when he saw him last November.
However, it has been a different story once the veteran regained his fitness.
(via TTFA Media.)
“I have seen him [transform] from a player who looked like maybe he had past it to now seeing a player of real leadership, a quality player—and it shows in his stats,” said Yorke, in a reference to Molino’s two goals and assist in his last three international outings. “I have seen somebody who has that experience and control and guidance and respect within this team.
“As a former captain I see some similarities within him. He has done a fantastic job and I think you will see the best of Molino to come.”
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.
Yorke said he is excited by a lengthened match window which gives him roughly three weeks with his players for the first time. He believes it can be the making of his squad.
“This spell gives us the chance to work really thoroughly with the players, really cement our ideas and philosophy in a camp environment,” he said.
“[…] Let me stress, this is the new era of Trinidad and Tobago football.”
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.
(Trinidad and Tobago team)
Goalkeepers: Marvin Phillip (AC Port of Spain), Denzil Smith (AV Alta FC—USA), Jabari St Hillaire (Defence Force);
Defenders: Sheldon Bateau (SK Beveren—Belgium), Isaiah Garcia (Defence Force), Josiah Trimmingham, Darnell Hospedales (both Montego Bay Utd—Jamaica), Alvin Jones (Deportivo Real Sociedad—Honduras), Andre Raymond (St Johnstone FC—Scotland);
(via TTFA Media.)
Midfielders: Ajani Fortune (Atlanta Utd—USA), Wayne Frederick II (Colorado Rapids—USA), Joevin Jones (Police FC), Kaihim Thomas, Kevin Molino (both Defence Force), Daniel Phillips (Stevenage FC—England), Noah Powder (Westchester FC—USA), Andre Rampersad (HFX Wanderers—Canada), Steffen Yeates (York Utd—Canada),
Attackers: Rio Cardines (Crystal Palace—England), Levi Garcia (Spartak Moscow—Russia), Real Gill (Huntsville City—USA), Nathaniel James (Hearts of Pine—USA), Isaiah Leacock (Defence Force), Isaiah Lee (La Horquetta Rangers), Dante Sealy (CF Montreal—Canada), Tyrese Spicer (Toronto FC—Canada).
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Lasana Liburd is the managing director and chief editor at Wired868.com and a journalist with over 20 years experience at several Trinidad and Tobago and international publications including Play the Game, World Soccer, UK Guardian and the Trinidad Express.
Dwight Yorke’s assertion that Trinidad and Tobago football is entering a “new era”—a phrase he mentioned three times in his 12-minute interview—signals an intention to move the national program forward, not just by introducing new faces but by raising standards across the board. Yorke also emphasized the importance of creating a “high performance environment,” which, if fully realized, would mean much more than just changes to the squad.
A true “high-performance environment” for a senior men’s national team must include, on the field, world-class coaching, advanced tactical and technical preparation, individualized player development, and access to top-tier sports science and analytics. Off the field, it requires comprehensive medical care, robust mental health support, transparent communication regarding contracts and health, and fair financial compensation—including clear match fees, per diems, and performance bonuses. Facilities, nutrition, recovery protocols, and travel arrangements should all meet international standards to ensure players can perform at their best.
Given Yorke’s experience as both a player and now a coach, and his familiarity with how TTFA has historically treated its players, there is hope he will use his position to mediate between players and federation leadership. Advocating for a collective bargaining agreement would formalize player rights and benefits, set clear standards for treatment, and establish mechanisms for accountability. This would represent a true break from the past and ensure that the “new era” is not just about new names on the team sheet, but about a genuine culture shift—one rooted in respect, professionalism, and partnership between the federation and its players.