Saint Lucia celebrated significant milestones over the weekend of March 15, 2025, by hosting the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Football (CONCACAF) Congress for the first time. The gathering marked the 40th Congress, bringing together representatives from all 41 member territories, and was honored by the attendance of FIFA President Gianni Infantino. This event also witnessed the election of Lyndon Cooper, president of the Saint Lucia Football Association (SLFA), as the new president of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU), marking the first time a Saint Lucian has held this prestigious position.
Cooper, who has been actively involved with the CFU for over 12 years, expressed his views on leadership, stating, “Based on the experience I have, having served within the CFU, it was just important for me to have stepped forward to lead the organization for the next four years.” He takes over from Barbados’ Randy Harris, who held the position for nearly seven years and is now recognized as the first Barbadian to be elected to the esteemed FIFA Council.
Infantino, Montagliani, and Cooper all praised Harris for his contributions to the CFU, noting his efforts to leave the organization on solid ground. Cooper emphasized, “He leaves the organisation on a very strong footing,” appreciating Harris’s role and contributions as highlighted during his departing speech.
Under Cooper’s leadership, there have been significant advancements, including the completion of two GOAL projects which focused on nurturing grassroots football for both boys and girls, as well as the semi-professionalization of domestic football within Saint Lucia. Looking forward, he articulated his regional priorities which will guide the CFU leading up to 2029: “Technical development, competitions, and governance, those are going to be the priority.” Cooper is set to detail these plans through what he is calling the strategic plan 3.0. The current plan, known as 2.0, is scheduled to conclude by 2026.
The weekend's activities encapsulated more than just serious football discussions. The CONCACAF Congress included vibrant events such as a celebrity game, presidents’ dinner, electoral assembly, and even a prestigious reception at Government House to celebrate and network among football leaders.
“They have expressed the sentiment,” Cooper said, reflecting on the feedback from key attendees of the Congress, “that it is well organized, well executed, and they have never seen such a level of organization.” This speaks volumes about the successful execution of the Congress and the efforts put forth by the local organizing entities.
Cooper publicly extended his gratitude, saying, “I don’t think there are sufficient words in any language to express the SLFA’s thanks to CONCACAF and the CFU for choosing Saint Lucia as the host.” He particularly recognized the valuable support from the Government of Saint Lucia, including the Ministry for Youth Development and Sports, Events Saint Lucia, the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, and Export Saint Lucia, all of whom contributed to the successful hosting of the event.
Overall, the weekend not only marked the election of new leadership but also highlighted the collaborative efforts and commitment of local stakeholders to uplift the football community in Saint Lucia and the Caribbean region as they now look toward future developments and opportunities. With Cooper at the helm, stakeholders are hopeful for continued growth and prosperity within the CFU. This historic Congress will undeniably set the tone for the future of football across the Caribbean.
