The 40th Concacaf Congress was held this weekend at the Royalton Hotel in St Lucia, marking one of the most significant gatherings for Caribbean and North American football. This pivotal event was attended by notable figures including FIFA president Gianni Infantino, Concacaf president Victor Montagliani, and many other high-ranking football dignitaries, all coming together to discuss the future of football across the region.
Choosing St Lucia as the venue for this congress goes beyond logistical reasons; it acts as a powerful symbol of inclusivity and the collective commitment to strengthen football throughout all member nations, regardless of their size. This event embodies Concacaf’s aim to assure every nation, whether it's the giants of the sport or smaller island nations, has representation and plays a role in shaping the future of the game.
Victor Montagliani articulated this sentiment, stating, “I am incredibly proud of how we have come together as a football family to ... creating new opportunities for our Member Associations.” This expression of unity encapsulates the spirit of Concacaf's mission, reinforcing the importance of solidarity within the futebol community.
During the congress, Montagliani also extended his gratitude to Lyndon Cooper, president of the Saint Lucia Football Association, for his hospitality and recognized the collective progress of the 41 Member Associations as they strive to uplift football across the region. The sentiment shared among officials reflects bright prospects for football’s future as they navigated discussions surrounding improvements and challenges.
With various regional officials present, including Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president Kieron Edwards, the congress served not only as congratulations but also as motivation for nations like Trinidad and Tobago, which is on the brink of significant matches against Cuba. These two leg playoff challenges will determine their fate for the Concacaf Gold Cup—not to mention the looming qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
After brief discussions with Infantino, he extended warm wishes to Trinidad and Tobago, acknowledging the country’s rich footballing history. He even joked, wishing legendary striker Dwight Yorke could lace up his boots one more time, adding levity to the serious nature of the discussions at hand. This heartfelt message underlines FIFA's recognition of T&T’s cultural impact on the sport.
The Congress also provided valuable insights and reflections on football’s responsibilities and potential. Infantino’s presence highlighted FIFA’s commitment to backing Concacaf's long-term sports ambitions, which includes increased infrastructural support for developing nations. This message resonates strongly with T&T and other nations striving for revitalization and growth both on and off the pitch.
The gathering aimed at reinforcing cooperation among member nations underlines significant themes like transparency, investment, and competitiveness—all of which are to shape the operational and coaching standards across the Caribbean football framework. This vision paves the way for future discussions surrounding governance, youth developments, and high-performance strategies, which are indispensable for growth.
Besides the focus on policy matters, the true impact of the congress will undoubtedly be felt on the field, with decisions made today influencing the next generation of players, coaches, and tournaments. The commitment to expanded youth tournaments, increased funding for women's football, and infrastructure upgrades all represent actionable legacies stemming from this meeting.
On Sunday, March 16, 2025, the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) held its 48th Ordinary Congress at the same venue, leading to significant leadership changes. Lyndon Cooper was elected as the new CFU president, succeeding Randy Harris, who opted not to seek re-election. Cooper brings over 13 years of experience as vice president of the CFU Executive Committee, running unopposed for the new role.
Cooper’s acceptance speech emphasized unifying the 31 member associations and the importance of fostering strong relationships with FIFA. “We have and will continue to ... developmental obstacles,” he affirmed, setting ambitious goals for his presidency. Further expounding on unity, Cooper urged leveraging football as not just sport but as a means to transcend cultural barriers across English, Dutch, French, and Spanish-speaking regions.
Outgoing president, Randy Harris, reflected on accomplishments made during his tenure since taking office in 2017, decisively prioritizing accountability, integrity, and transparency as guiding principles. “I take pride ... and the advancement of football ...” he expressed, signalling the progress achieved under his leadership.
The closing elements of this weekend's events resonate strongly with the Caribbean’s ambitions within the global football sphere. These congresses have underscored the importance of ensuring all discussions lead to actionable improvements, with the key players leaving St Lucia not just with words but with commitments to advance the sport. With pressing challenges on the horizon, it remains to be seen how effectively the vision established here will influence the next chapter of Caribbean football.