Saint Lucia’s national men’s football team lost their opening fixture in the Concacaf Friendly Series on Wednesday evening, November 12, falling 3-0 to Cuba. The Group A game was played at Cibao Stadium in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic.
Missing several familiar faces, head coach Stern John handed the captain’s armband to Canada-based forward Caniggia Elva. The second-generation Saint Lucia international was supported up front by Donavan Jn Baptiste, Trent Alexander and the recalled Ridel Stanislas. Bayan Aman and Hamaiel Charlery manned the midfield. Kurt Frederick and Melvin Doxilly shepherded the defence, with Joshua Sololon-Davies and Ajani Louis. Vino Barclett started in goal.
The game was relatively evenly poised early on, but the Lions of the Caribbean broke the deadlock after 38 minutes, Romario Torres netting his first goal for the senior national team. In first-half added time, Yasnier Matos doubled the lead, with Dairon Reyes completing the rout in the 53rd minute. It was the first game in charge for Cuban coach Pedro Pablo Pereira.
Cuba were the first Caribbean team to compete in the FIFA World Cup, at France 1938. They missed out on advancing to the final round of qualifying for the 2026 edition by one point, finishing 2-0-2 in Group A of the Second Round.
Saint Lucia’s Piton Boyz were 1-1-2 to finish third in Group C of the Second Round of Concacaf Qualifiers. Saint Lucia are ranked just above Cuba in the latest FIFA Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking, 164 to 169. But Cuba have been ranked as high as 47th in the world, while Saint Lucia are yet to crack the top 100.
Saint Lucia will face more familiar opponents on Friday, November 15, when they play neighbours St Vincent & the Grenadines at Estadio Cibao. The Vincy Heat, ranked 171st in the world, played hosts Dominican Republic on Wednesday night.
The 2025-26 Concacaf Friendly Series kicked off with 16 nations taking part on the opening matchday, with games played during the November FIFA international match window in the Dominican Republic, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Antigua & Barbuda, and the Cayman Islands.
