The Turks and Caicos Islands Senior National Football Team will be trying to get its World Cup hopes back on track with the hosting of one of the Caribbean’s powerhouses, Haiti, at the Academy Field on Saturday, June 5.
The Turks and Caicos Islands have lost both games played in Group E so far. They lost to Belize 5-0 and 7-0 to Nicaragua.
They will now be looking to undertake a herculean task and create a mammoth upset when they go up against Haiti, CONCACAF’s 10th and the world’s 84th ranked team, according to a FIFA ranking released in December. The Turks and Caicos Islands, according to the said ranking, are ranked 32nd in CONCACAF and 203 in the world.
The Turks and Caicos Islands are placed in Zone E, along with Nicaragua, Haiti, Belize and St. Lucia.
Nicaragua, Belize and Haiti are all on three points, but Nicaragua have a superior goal difference. Belize have played two games, winning one and losing the other, while Nicaragua and Haiti have played one each.
Though losing both games so far, the Turks and Caicos Islands sit in fourth position, ahead of St. Lucia, who are yet to play their first game.
Haiti defeated Belize 2-0 in their encounter.
In the meantime, the Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association (TCIFA) said the game will be played in the strictest COVID-19 protocols. It stated that only one representative from a media house will be allowed to cover the game.
“This person will be allowed to take team photos at the opening of the match, and will then be stationed behind either goal, on either end of the field during the match,” a release from the TCIFA said in part.
It also stated that the media will be barred from interviewing any player on a face-to-face level, noting that such interviews would only be done virtually.
“Please note that media would not be allowed any contact with the players. And any interviews must be conducted via the zoom platform,” the release further stated, noting also that all persons wishing to attend the game will be subjected to PCR testing that will be scheduled for June 3, at the National Academy, beginning at 8:00am.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to take place in Qatar from 21 November to 18 December.