King: Levi’s leadership will be extremely important; T&T announce 25-man squad for Nations League

Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team head coach Derek King announced his strongest team since his reappointment, as the Soca Warriors prepare for group stage battle in the 2026 Concacaf Nations League.

Captain Levi Garcia leads a 25-man squad that includes pacy Orlando City winger Tyrese Spicer and Colorado Rapids midfielder Wayne Frederick II—the latter duo is involved for the first time since the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Trinidad and Tobago attacker Levi Garcia (right) runs at Jamaica midfielder Isaac Hayden during World Cup qualifying action at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on 13 November 2025.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.

Garcia and his teammates initially threatened to skip the upcoming international match window, due to unpaid match fees and bonuses.

However, the players agreed to take part once TTFA president Kieron Edwards belatedly agreed to their demands of 75 percent of their 2026 World Cup qualifying income.

It cleared the way for King to name a full-strength team, as he seeks his first win for 2026 after six friendlies this year. And the young coached credited the “experience, athleticism, technical ability and […] strong desire to represent our country” within his ranks.

Trinidad and Tobago head coach Derek King (left) makes a point to midfielder Daniel Phillips during a training session in Utah.
Photo: TTFA Media.

“We are very pleased to announce the squad for our upcoming Concacaf Nations League matches against Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Curaçao,” King told the TTFA Media. “This is an important period for Trinidad and Tobago football, and we have selected a squad that we believe has the quality, experience, character and hunger to compete at the highest level.

“[…] Levi Garcia’s leadership will be extremely important for us. As captain, he understands the responsibility that comes with wearing the red, white and black, and we expect him to lead by example—both and off the field.”

Garcia, Spicer and Frederick apart, US-based defender Kobi Henry and England Championship Division flanker Rio Cardines are included among 21 overseas-based players.

There was still room for two players apiece from TTPFL teams Club Sando FC and Defence Force, which are both competing in the Caribbean qualifying stage of the Concacaf Club Championship at present.

Goalkeeper Jabari Brice and midfielder Luke Phillip represent Sando in the national team along with the vastly experienced Defence Force duo of Justin Garcia and Reon Moore.

Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Luke Phillip (left) tries to keep the ball from Haiti forward Steevenson Jeudy during Concacaf U-20 Championship action in San Pedro Sula on 19 June 2022.
(via TTFA Media)

Former national youth players Jahiem Wickham and Andrew De Gannes also received maiden senior international call-ups.

De Gannes, a ball-playing left back and ex-Fatima College standout, and goalkeeper Wickham both play in the US.

“We have been very deliberate in building a squad that can compete now while also continuing to build for the future,” said King. “There is a balance between experience and youth, and I believe that is very important for the development of our national team.”

Trinidad and Tobago forward Nathaniel James (right) celebrates his second half item with teammates Wayne Frederick II (centre) and Kaile Auvray during World Cup qualifying action against Bermuda at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on 18 November 2025.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.

(Trinidad and Tobago team)

Goalkeepers: Jabari Brice (Club Sando FC), Denzil Smith (AV Alta—USA), Jahiem Wickham (Charlotte FC—USA),

Defenders: Rio Cardines (Bristol City—England), Andrew De Gannes (St Louis City FC—USA), Justin Garcia (Defence Force), Kobi Henry (Real Salt Lake—USA), Kieran Ngwenya (Rotherham United—England), Déron Payne (FC Volendham—Netherlands), Noah Powder (Westchester SC—USA), Josiah Trimmingham (Phoenix Chapelton Maroons FC—Jamaica),

Midfielders: Wayne Frederick II (Colorado Rapids—USA), Dantaye Gilbert (FC Banik Ostrava—Czech Republic), Molik Khan (Vanspor FK—Turkey), Luke Phillip (Club Sando FC), Daniel Phillips (Stevenage FC—England), Andre Rampersad (Halifax Wanderers—Canada),

Attackers: Levi Garcia (Panathinaikos FC—Greece), Reon Moore (Defence Force), Roald Mitchell (Viborg FF—Denmark), Nathaniel James (North Texas SC—USA), Real Gill (One Knoxville SC—USA), Dante Sealy (CF Montreal—Canada), Tyrese Spicer (Orland City SC—USA), Ryan Telfer (Halifax Wanderers—Canada).

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