Antigua and Barbuda's historic qualification for the CONCACAF Under-20 Championship in Mexico is coming with a price tag — and the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association is prepared to pay it, with newly appointed General Secretary Zorol Barthley confirming that preparations could cost in the region of US$230,000 or EC$614,000.

A Comprehensive Preparation Plan

Barthley revealed that the total investment covers much more than travel and tournament logistics. "We're looking at, in the region about US$230,000 in terms of our preparation. CONCACAF covers you once you're there for two days before and then all the expenses there. But we're looking at the holistic picture in terms of the medical support we're going to give to the team even before they leave," he said. "The kind of support that we're going to offer and the medical support we're going to offer there because, as you know, going into high altitude, the body does all kinds of things to you, so we want to ensure that we have all of those things covered."

St. Lucia, Panama, Then Mexico

The preparation itinerary is ambitious and carefully considered. Barthley said the ABFA hopes to depart Antigua by July 3. The team will first travel to St. Lucia, where players without the necessary visa documentation for Mexico can obtain it, and where the ABFA is in conversation with the St. Lucia Football Association about playing at least one warm-up game. The squad will then travel to Panama for a ten-day high-intensity preparation camp before heading to Mexico ahead of the tournament.

Drawn in a Tough Group

Antigua and Barbuda were drawn in Group B of the tournament on May 7 alongside hosts Mexico, Guatemala, and Costa Rica — a formidable pool that will test the young Benna Boys against some of CONCACAF's strongest football nations. The ninth edition of the CONCACAF Under-20 Championship will be held in Mexico from July 25 to August 9, 2026, with 12 teams competing across three groups followed by a knockout round.

A New Leadership Determined to Deliver

Barthley said the new ABFA executive, led by President Ickford "Nyah" Roberts, is determined to give the young players the best possible opportunity to perform at their peak during the championships.

In accepting the General Secretary post, Barthley set out his broader vision for football on the island. "Football has the power to transform lives, strengthen communities, and contribute meaningfully to national development," he said. "I look forward to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to enhance our administrative systems, strengthen our football structures, and position Antigua and Barbuda for sustainable success regionally and internationally."

Antigua and Barbuda's qualification for the CONCACAF U20 Championship is itself a historic achievement — a rare opportunity for the nation's most talented young footballers to test themselves against the best under-20 sides in the region. The ABFA's investment in proper preparation, medical support, and acclimatisation signals that this moment will not be squandered for the want of planning or resources.