PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) — In a resolute and focused address, Trinidad and Tobago’s senior men’s football Head Coach Dwight Yorke has declared that his squad will be prepared for the daunting challenge of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers next month. He simultaneously issued a stern dismissal of the criticisms towards him and the team.

The legendary former Manchester United striker and T&T captain spoke candidly on the pressing issues facing the national team during his appearance on the popular i95.5 fm-produced ‘6 to 26 World Cup’ podcast, hosted by Andre Errol Baptiste and Tony Lee, which aired on Wednesday.

With the qualifying campaign set to kick off on September 5 away to Curaçao, followed by a massive clash against regional rivals Jamaica on September 9, Yorke acknowledged the significant hurdles ahead but projected an air of determined confidence.

“We will be ready. But the challenge will be to gather the players under one roof and ensure they stay fit and healthy during that time. We are now in the middle of August, and they have about three or four games to play before arriving at camp.”

This logistical challenge is compounded by a critically short preparation window. Yorke revealed he will have just 10 days to work with his players ahead of the two vital international matches, a period he admits is a race against time to instil his tactical philosophy.

“The key factor is your home games,” Yorke said, outlining his approach to the qualifying group. “Ideally, we want to go through this campaign unbeaten, not relatively draws, but you have to take care of your home games and that’s the basic.”

This presents its unique difficulty for the Soca Warriors, who will play three of their four opening qualifiers on the road. “T&T have one game at home and three away games. Since I have taken over, the team has played away from home 90 per cent of the time.”

Addressing the constant chatter from pundits and fans questioning his squad selections, the gaffer was unequivocal in his response, drawing on his extensive experience at the highest level of the sport.

“I was hired to do a job, and it’s my job to pick the team. What we consider external, we shut the noise out. We know people will have their opinion, and criticism is part of the fabric in this part of the world, and it’s nothing new to me. I don’t take a lot of notice of the media, but I hear what’s going around. What is important to me is that internally everyone is on the same page and on the same goal, which is to qualify for the World Cup.”

That goal, however, is a formidable one. Yorke fully recognises the quality of the opposition that stands in his team’s way, with both immediate opponents holding a higher FIFA ranking.

“Curaçao and Jamaica are ranked above us, and the realisation is that this is a challenge by itself. I don’t say it lightly, but we have to be at our best, and the expectation is high.”

Dwight Yorke