Anton Corneal discusses TTFA’s High-Performance program redesign for Youth Tournaments

Anton Corneal, the Technical Director of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA), has acknowledged the need for substantial restructuring within the organization to align with FIFA's recent announcement that starting in 2025, youth tournaments will be held annually instead of biennially.

Corneal emphasized the importance of adapting to this new schedule and outlined the challenges and priorities that lie ahead.

With the shift to yearly youth tournaments, Corneal emphasized the necessity of increased human and financial resources to fulfill the TTFA's objectives and ensure consistent representation of Trinidad and Tobago at these competitions. He acknowledged that hiring additional staff would be crucial, but it would require adequate funding to support this expansion effectively.

Trinidad and Tobago's initial football commitment for the year will be hosting Group D of the CONCACAF Men's Under-20 Championships qualifiers next month. The competition features teams from Canada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Dominica, with only the group winner advancing to the next round.

Poised to face the challenge

Corneal noted that the TTFA's youth team has been in training for the past two and a half months and is poised to face the challenge presented by strong opponents such as Canada.

While Corneal acknowledged the competitive nature of the group and the fluctuating results in past encounters with Canada, he expressed confidence in Trinidad and Tobago's ability to perform well in the upcoming tournament.

As the TTFA prepares for a busy year ahead, the focus on revamping youth programs and meeting the demands of annual FIFA tournaments underscores the importance of adaptability and resource allocation to maintain a strong presence in international football competitions.