The 2026 Saint Lucia International Masters Football Invitational kicked off Wednesday night at two venues, the Micoud Playing Field and Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, with 10 of the 26 participating teams in action. Eleven goals were scored in the first five matches, and organisers hope to continue improving the level of the competition.
In the Over 50 division at DSCG, Ansgar Herman scored the decisive goal to put Caricom Masters ahead in their Group A match against Gros Islet Legends. Also at DSCG, Marchand won their Over 40 Group D opener, beating Lancers FC 2-1. Klen Jules opened the scoring for Lancers, Carn Laure equalised with a header, and Lincoln Philip put the men from east Castries ahead for good.
At the Micoud Playing Field, in Group B of the Over 50s, Vieux Fort South Masters and Ernie Nanton scored the only goal to defeat Labowi Connexions. In Over 40 Group B, Vieux Fort South and Dennery’s All Blacks drew 1-1. Calixte Biscette opened for the All Blacks, and Brad Camille equalised for VFS. In Group A, Valley Legends and Micoud United FC also drew 2-2. Legends took the lead through Alvin Emmanuel. Valentine Peter and Brendon Desir put Micoud ahead. Sampson Robinson rescued a point.
Alvin Malaykhan, CEO of Veteran Sports, told St Lucia Times that he was pleased to see the competition grow over the years. He explained that it is now a fixture on the local sports tourism schedule, as well as a must-do for regional masters’ football.
“I think we have the best masters football tournament in the Caribbean. I’m proud to say that. It’s at a high level,” said Malaykhan. “And then it’s important to us, the development of masters football regionally and internationally. So, getting foreign teams to participate in these tournaments is very important to us. We have over 12 foreign teams coming in, over 300 participants. So the impact on the economy is magnificent.”
Being played under the theme, Legends…United by Passion, the five-day series concludes on Whit Monday, May 25. There are 26 teams in the Over 40 and Over 50 categories, including squads from Barbados, Canada, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago, and the US.
“This tournament can only get better,” added Malaykhan. “What’s important is the level of football and the enjoyment and the atmosphere of just being in Saint Lucia. Saint Lucia is a safe, wonderful place to experience good football, and we bring that Caribbean flair and atmosphere to the football. So that’s why a lot of people come out here to just enjoy what we bring to that.”
