TCI U14 boys show promise despite early CFU exit

The Turks and Caicos Islands Boys’ Under-14 national football team gave a good account of itself despite failing to advance from the group stage of the 2026 Caribbean Football Union Boys’ U14 Challenge Series in the Dominican Republic.

A TCIFA Photo shows the U14 Boys in training

Competing in Tier II Group B, the young TCI side finished fourth after three competitive matches against Antigua and Barbuda, the Cayman Islands and Dominica.

TCI began its campaign with a narrow 1-0 defeat to Dominica on August 16. The team then fell 4-1 to the Cayman Islands before ending the group stage with a closely fought 2-1 loss to Antigua and Barbuda.

Although TCI finished without a point, the team scored twice and conceded eight goals, ending with a goal difference of minus six. The one-goal defeats to Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda highlighted the team’s competitiveness against regional opposition.

Antigua and Barbuda topped the group with a perfect nine points from three victories. The young Benna Boys scored eight goals and conceded three, finishing with a plus-five goal difference.

The Cayman Islands placed second with six points after recording two wins and one defeat. They scored 10 goals and conceded five for a plus-five goal difference.

Dominica finished third with three points after securing its only victory against TCI. The Dominicans scored three goals and conceded seven, ending with a minus-four goal difference.

The CFU tournament, staged from August 16 to 23, brought together 28 Caribbean teams competing across two tiers. Its format included round-robin group play followed by placement and knockout matches, providing young footballers with valuable international experience.

Despite their early exit, the TCI players gained important exposure to regional competition and demonstrated resilience throughout the campaign.