Antigua and Barbuda national football team

The Antigua and Barbuda national football team is the national team of Antigua and Barbuda.

Antigua and Barbuda
Nickname(s)The Benna Boys
AssociationAntigua and Barbuda Football Association
ConfederationCONCACAF (North America)
Sub-confederationCaribbean Football Union (Caribbean)
Head coachMikele Leigertwood
CaptainQuinton Griffith
Most capsPeter Byers (91)
Top scorerPeter Byers (44)
Home stadiumAntigua Recreation Ground
Sir Vivian Richards Stadium
FIFA codeATG
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 148 6 (20 June 2024)[1]
Highest70 (October 2014)
Lowest170 (December 2003 – January 2004)
First international
 Trinidad and Tobago 11–1 Antigua and Barbuda 
(Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago; 10 November 1972)
Biggest win
 Antigua and Barbuda 10–0 U.S. Virgin Islands 
(North Sound, Antigua & Barbuda; 11 October 2011)
Biggest defeat
 Trinidad and Tobago 11–1 Antigua and Barbuda 
(Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago; 10 November 1972)
CFU Championship/Caribbean Cup
Appearances11 (first in 1978)
Best resultCFU Championship: Runners-up
(1988)
Caribbean Cup: Group stage
(2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)

Founded in 1928,[2] it is controlled by the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association, a member of the CONCACAF and the Caribbean Football Union (CFU). The team has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup or the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

History

First international match

On November 10, 1972, Antigua and Barbuda's first match was a 1974 FIFA World Cup qualifying match versus Trinidad and Tobago in Port of Spain. The match was a 11-1 thrashing which to this day is this national team's worst defeat.

Friendlies against European teams

On 17 December 2005, the Antigua and Barbuda national team played their first match against a European opponent after the Hungarian Football Federation invited "the Benna Boys" to play Hungary in an international friendly at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This was the first match coached by former national striker Derrick Edwards. Hungary defeated Antigua and Barbuda 3–0.[3]

On 2 May 2016, the Estonian Football Association announced that their national team would play Antigua and Barbuda in an international friendly on 22 November. It was the team's second match against a European opponent. Estonia won the game 1–0.[4]

2018 drug bust in Jamaica

During the March 2018 FIFA Calendar Antigua and Barbuda played Jamaica, drawing 1–1 away at Sabina Park, levelling in the last seconds of match from a header from Peter Byers. Upon the team's preparation for their departure back to Antigua, assistant coach Derrick Edwards and equipment manager Danny Benjamin were arrested and charged with possession of, dealing in, and taking steps to export marijuana, and conspiracy at the Norman Manley International Airport. Initially, Edwards was awarded bail and Benjamin was held without bail; after a month, both Edwards and Benjamin were placed under house arrest and curfew and gave up their travel documents.[5] Both men were acquitted of the crime on 14 June, citing there was not enough evidence to prove their involvement in the carrying the drugs with the intention of smuggling them out of Jamaica.

Team image

Nicknames

The official nickname of the Antigua and Barbuda national football team is "the Benna Boys", referring to a genre of Antiguan and Barbudan music similar to calypso. The name was selected in a contest with the fanbase in 2012 after the team advanced to the third round of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers. "The Benna Boys" beat out other entries in the contest such as "Beach Boys", "Iron Bandits", "Rhythm Warriors" and "Party Crashers".[6] In the past, the national team was unofficially known as "the Wadadli Boys", another name that was in the contest but did not win.[7]

Kit suppliers

The kit of the national team has been manufactured by Spanish-based Joma since March 2021, ahead of the first round of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

Kit manufacturer Time period
Admiral 1995–1999
Virma 2000–2003
Adidas 2006–2011
Peak 2012–2016
Admiral 2016–2020
Joma 2021–present

Results and fixtures

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2023

9 September 2023–24 Nations League Antigua and Barbuda  1–5  Guyana Piggotts, Antigua and Barbuda
15:30 UTC−4
  • Deterville 45'
Report
Stadium: ABFA Technical Center
Referee: Mario Escobar (Guatemala)
12 September 2023–24 Nations League Puerto Rico  5–0  Antigua and Barbuda Nassau, Bahamas
19:00 UTC−4
Report Stadium: Thomas Robinson Stadium
Referee: Melvin Matamoros (Honduras)
14 October 2023–24 Nations League Bahamas  1–4  Antigua and Barbuda Nassau, Bahamas
18:00 UTC−4
Report
Stadium: Thomas Robinson Stadium
Referee: Sergio Reyna (Guatemala)
17 October 2023–24 Nations League Antigua and Barbuda  2–2  Bahamas Piggotts, Antigua and Barbuda
15:30 UTC−4
Report
  • Wells 5'
  • Johnson 82'
Stadium: ABFA Technical Center
Referee: Reon Radix (Grenada)
18 November 2023–24 Nations League Antigua and Barbuda  2–3  Puerto Rico Piggotts, Antigua and Barbuda
15:00 UTC−4
Report
Stadium: ABFA Technical Center
Referee: Benjamin Whitty (Cayman Islands)
21 November 2023–24 Nations League Guyana  6–0  Antigua and Barbuda Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
20:00 UTC−4 Report Stadium: Estadio Olímpico Félix Sánchez
Referee: Sergio Rozenhout (Suriname)

2024

5 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Antigua and Barbuda  1–1  Bermuda Piggotts, Antigua and Barbuda
15:00 UTC−4
  • Deterville 26'
Report (FIFA)
Report (CONCACAF)
  • Ming 90'
Stadium: ABFA Technical Centre
Attendance: 404
Referee: Adonis Carrasco (Dominican Republic)
8 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Cayman Islands  1–0  Antigua and Barbuda George Town, Cayman Islands
21:00 UTC−5
  • Campbell 90+1'
Report (FIFA)
Report (CONCACAF)
Stadium: Truman Bodden Sports Complex
Attendance: 453
Referee: Pierre-Luc Lauzière (Canada)

2025

Coaching staff

Current coaching staff

Name Position
Mikele Leigertwood Head coach
Neil Schyan Jeffers Assistant coach
Lenny Hewlett Assistant coach
Janiel Simon Goalkeeper coach
Evans Jones Trainer
Horatio Morrison Physiotherapist
Malcolm Challenger Equipment manager

Manager history

The following is a list of head coaches of the Antigua and Barbuda national team throughout the years.

Name Period Matches Wins Draws Losses Notes
Rudi Gutendorf 1976
Zoran Vraneš 1998–2000 Fourth place at the 1998 Caribbean Cup
Walter Gama 2001–2002
Rolston Williams 2004
Derrick Edwards 2005–2008
Willie Donachie 2008 16 8 3 5
Rowan Benjamin 2008–2011 11 4 3 4
Tom Curtis 2011–2012 21 8 3 10 Semifinal round of the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers
Rolston Williams 2012–2014 6 4 0 2
Piotr Nowak 2014–2015 12 5 2 5 Highest FIFA Ranking (70) under his tenure
Rolston Williams 2015–2018 8 3 0 5
Derrick Edwards 2018–2019 6 2 1 3
Michél Dinzey 2019–2020 10 4 0 6
Mikele Leigertwood 2021– 9 5 1 3

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup qualification match against Guadeloupe on 16 June 2023.[8]

Caps and goals are correct as of 16 June 2023, after the match against Guadeloupe.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Nick Townsend (1994-11-01) 1 November 1994 7 0 Newport County
1GK Taj Moore (2005-06-16) 16 June 2005 0 0

2DF Karanja Mack (1987-08-24) 24 August 1987 58 0 Parham
2DF Daniel Bowry (1998-04-29) 29 April 1998 17 1 Worthing
2DF Aaron Taylor-Sinclair (1991-04-08) 8 April 1991 9 0 Airdrieonians
2DF Jahzime Barthley (2005-04-13) 13 April 2005 0 0 All Saints United

3MF Quinton Griffith (Captain) (1992-02-27) 27 February 1992 73 9 Five Islands
3MF Shevorn Phillip (1996-09-09) 9 September 1996 16 1 Liberta
3MF TJ Bramble (2001-05-09) 9 May 2001 10 0 Welling United
3MF Ashley Nathaniel-George (1995-06-14) 14 June 1995 7 1 Maidenhead United
3MF Henry Antyon (2002-04-23) 23 April 2002 1 0 Hoppers
3MF Karique Knight (2005-04-03) 3 April 2005 1 0 Urlings Golden Stars
3MF Jahzinho O'Garro (2002-12-12) 12 December 2002 1 0 Parham
3MF Kemio Williams (1998-10-26) 26 October 1998 1 0 Old Road
3MF Shakore Simon (2000-02-10) 10 February 2000 0 0

4FW Josh Parker (1990-12-01) 1 December 1990 37 5 Oxford City
4FW Shalon Knight (2000-03-04) 4 March 2000 3 0 Swetes
4FW Whitney Gonsalves (1999-01-07) 7 January 1999 1 0
4FW Zayn Hakeem (1999-02-15) 15 February 1999 1 0 Shepshed Dynamo
4FW Eroy Gonsalves (2006-09-18) 18 September 2006 0 0

Recent call-ups

The following players have also been called up to the Antigua and Barbuda squad within the last twelve months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up



Player records

As of 21 November 2023[9]
Players in bold are still active with Antigua and Barbuda.

Most appearances

Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1Peter Byers91442004–2021
2Quinton Griffith79102009–present
3George Dublin6742000–2012
4Tamorley Thomas64122002–2021
5Karanja Mack5802006–present
6Ranjae Christian5451998–2012
7Randolph Burton52152008–2016
Akeem Thomas5222008–2018
9Gayson Gregory4982000–2014
Molvin James4902007–2021

Top goalscorers

Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1Peter Byers44910.482004–2021
2Derrick Edwards18200.91988–2000
3Randolph Burton15520.292008–2016
4Tamorley Thomas12640.192002–2021
5Jamie Thomas10310.322006–2011
6Quinton Griffith10790.132009–present
7Myles Weston9160.562014–present
8Garfield Gonsalves8290.281992–2008
Kerry Skepple8340.242002–2012
Gayson Gregory8490.162000–2014

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup Qualification
Year Result Position Pld W D* L GF GA Squad Pld W D L GF GA
1930 to 1970 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
1974 Did not qualify 4 0 0 4 3 22
1978 Did not enter Did not enter
1982
1986 Did not qualify 2 1 0 1 2 5
1990 2 0 0 2 1 4
1994 4 1 1 2 5 6
1998 2 0 1 1 4 6
2002 6 1 2 3 4 15
2006 2 1 0 1 2 3
2010 4 2 0 2 7 8
2014 12 5 1 6 32 18
2018 4 2 0 2 6 6
2022 4 2 1 1 6 5
2026 To be determined 2 0 1 1 1 2
2030 To be determined
2034
Total 0/13 48 15 7 26 73 100

CONCACAF Gold Cup

CONCACAF Championship & Gold Cup record Qualification record
Year Result Position Pld W D* L GF GA Squad Pld W D L GF GA
1963 Part of  United Kingdom Part of  United Kingdom
1965
1967
1969
1971
1973 Did not qualify 4 0 0 4 3 22
1977 Did not enter Did not enter
1981
1985 Did not qualify 2 1 0 1 2 5
1989 2 1 1 0 1 4
1991 Did not enter Did not enter
1993 Did not qualify 2 1 0 1 1 1
1996 3 1 2 2 6 11
1998 2 0 0 2 1 5
2000 11 4 2 5 24 17
2002 3 0 1 2 4 5
2003 5 0 1 4 1 8
2005 3 1 0 2 6 8
2007 6 2 0 4 8 17
2009 9 4 3 2 19 16
2011 6 2 2 2 4 5
2013 3 1 0 2 3 3
2015 9 4 2 3 14 11
2017 6 3 0 3 10 8
2019 4 2 0 2 10 8
2021 6 3 0 3 8 17
2023 7 3 0 4 5 12
Total 0/22 93 33 14 46 130 183

CONCACAF Nations League

CONCACAF Nations League record
League Finals
Season Division Group Pld W D* L GF GA P/R Finals Results Pld W D L GF GA Squad
2019−20 B C 6 3 0 3 8 17 2021 Ineligible
2022–23 B A 6 3 0 3 5 7 2023
2023–24 B D 6 1 1 4 9 22 2024
2024–25 B D To be determined 2025
Total 18 7 1 10 22 46 Total 0 Titles

CFU Caribbean Cup

CFU Championship & Caribbean Cup record Qualification record
Year Result Position Pld W D* L GF GA Squad Pld W D L GF GA
1978 Fourth place 4th 5 1 1 3 4 8 Squad 2 1 1 0 3 0
1979 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 0 2
1981 Did not enter Did not enter
1983 Fourth place 4th 7 2 2 3 11 10 Squad 4 2 2 0 10 5
1985Did not qualify 2 1 0 1 2 2
1988 Runners-up 2nd 5 1 4 0 5 4 Squad 2 1 1 0 2 1
1989 Did not qualify 4 3 0 1 4 2
1990 3 0 1 2 2 5
1991 Did not enter Did not enter
1992 Group stage 7th 3 0 1 2 2 12 Squad 3 3 0 0 8 0
1993 Did not qualify 2 1 0 1 1 1
1994 2 1 0 1 10 3
1995 Group stage 7th 3 1 0 2 3 8 Squad 2 0 2 0 3 3
1996 Withdrew Withdrew
1997 Group stage 6th 2 0 0 2 1 5 Squad Qualified as hosts
1998 Fourth place 4th 5 2 0 3 11 9 Squad 3 2 1 0 11 3
1999 Did not qualify 3 0 1 2 2 5
2001 3 0 1 2 4 5
2005 3 1 0 2 6 8
2007 6 2 0 4 8 17
2008 Group stage 7th 3 0 2 1 3 6 Squad 6 4 1 1 16 10
2010 Group stage 5th 3 1 0 2 2 4 Squad 3 1 2 0 2 1
2012 Group stage 8th 3 1 0 2 3 3 Squad Qualified as hosts
2014 Group stage 7th 3 0 1 2 2 7 Squad 6 4 1 1 12 4
2017 Did not qualify 6 3 0 3 10 8
Total Runners-up 11/25 42 9 11 22 47 76 67 30 14 23 116 85
***Red border color indicates that Antigua and Barbuda was the host nation.

Head-to-head record

The following table shows Antigua and Barbuda's all-time official international record per opponent:[10]

Key

  Winning record   Equal record   Losing record

Opponent Pld W D L GF GA
 Anguilla5500283
 Aruba5500114
 Bahamas3210123
 Barbados8116916
 Bermuda123541315
 British Virgin Islands84221410
 Cayman Islands301214
 Cuba7016418
 Curaçao4301106
 Dominica158432718
 Dominican Republic6123811
 El Salvador100103
 Estonia100101
 French Guiana110021
 Grenada6330137
 Guadeloupe7214412
 Guatemala8107331
 Guyana145361633
 Haiti122371119
 Honduras100101
 Hungary100103
 Jamaica12129529
 Martinique4103612
 Mexico100108
 Montserrat4310206
 Puerto Rico4103510
 Saint Kitts and Nevis239593031
 Saint Lucia145362318
 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines137241720
 Sint Maarten320172
 Suriname6123415
 Trinidad and Tobago1320111241
 U.S. Virgin Islands5500261
 United States200225
Total2308341106339406

Honours

References

  1. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 20 June 2024. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
  2. "ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA". Concacaf. 7 March 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  3. "Caribbean Net News: Hungary beat Antigua-Barbuda in exhibition match". caribbeannewsnow.com. Archived from the original on 17 April 2016. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  4. "Eesti Jalgpalli Liit". jalgpall.ee. Archived from the original on 4 June 2016. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  5. Helps, HG (1 April 2018). "A coach's ganja plan". Jamaica Observer. Archived from the original on 2 April 2018. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  6. "Text to 774 – 3307 your choice for the name the team contest". Archived from the original on 28 May 2016. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
  7. "Football (Soccer) Team Nicknames". www.topendsports.com. Archived from the original on 28 July 2017. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
  8. "Benna Boys Squad". Facebook. ABFA – Antigua And Barbuda Football Association.
  9. "Antigua and Barbuda". National Football Teams.
  10. "Antigua And Barbuda national football team statistics and records: All-time record". 11v11.com. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
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