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The Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior players are prepared to represent their country in the 2026 Concacaf Nations League competition, after the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFA) yielded to their demands in-full yesterday.
The Soca Warriors, through captain Levi Garcia and vice-captains Andre Rampersad and Kobi Henry, pleaded for months to be paid match fees and bonuses due to them from the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.
As their cries appeared to fall on deaf ears, nearly two dozen Warriors said they would boycott the Concacaf Nations League if players did not receive at least 75% of their fees for the World Cup qualifiers.
Even then, TTFA president Kieron Edwards, according to the players, refused to budge, beyond an offer to pay 50% of owed fees to only the players selected for the Nations League competition.
On Sunday night, Garcia went public about the players’ dissatisfaction, as well as their intention to reject national call-ups under the circumstances—in an exclusive Wired868 report.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868.
And on Monday morning, Wired868 understands that Edwards authorised payments to over 30 national players, in keeping with Garcia’s ultimatum.
Edwards confirmed the payments in an online meeting with players on Monday afternoon. Head coach Derek King was present at the meeting.
Today, team manager Richard Piper called in players due to be paid in local currency to collect cheques from the TTFA. The remaining players are expected to have their money wired to their bank accounts, with payment ranging between US$500 and US$6,000.
Once the payments are confirmed, Wired868 was informed that the players will accept invitations from the TTFA to play.
It is uncertain whether Edwards’ relationship with the players can be salvaged—or if it matters at this stage. And, having pushed the normally mild-mannered Garcia to this stage, the power dynamics between players and the TTFA could be interesting going forward.
Edwards is the current managing director of Central FC.
(via TTFA Media.)
Wired868 understands that the TTFA also owes the Women’s National Senior Team players, as well as the coaching staff for the Men’s and Women’s team, office staff, and a range of service providers.
And, of course, the local football body still owes the Men’s National Senior Team players too.
But, after allegedly trying to construct a national team without Garcia and the more strident national players, Edwards belatedly decided to meet their current demands—having faced public outrage.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.
The president’s decision would be a welcome boost to King, who was set a minimal target of avoiding relegation from League A of the CNL.
Earlier today, a Trinidad Express story revealed that SporTT rejected a TTFA request for $2.5 million for the country’s Nations League campaign, due to incomplete checks and balances on previous funding from the government.
However, the SporTT snub should not be detrimental to the team, since Concacaf already provides roughly TT$1.3 million to the TTFA, for the expressed purpose of CNL participation.
(via TTFA.)
Wired868 asked Edwards to confirm whether, despite his request for taxpayers’ money, the TTFA already gets Concacaf funding for CNL expenses, and that the local football body satisfied his men’s players immediate demands.
He had not responded by the time of publication.
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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.
