Vincy Heat squad named for crucial CONCACAF Nations League campaign 

By Val Matthias. Updated 7:01 a.m., Thursday, September 18, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4). 

Newly appointed Vincy Heat head coach Michael Findlay has unveiled his squad for the September and October window of the 2026 CONCACAF Nations League, as St Vincent and the Grenadines begins its bid for promotion and qualification for the 2027 Concacaf Gold Cup.

The Canadian born coach announced the team on September 16, ahead of four key matches in League B competition, where St Vincent and the Grenadines has been drawn alongside French Guiana, Belize and Sint Maarten.

The Team:

Goalkeepers                        

Anthony Lewis

Lemos Christopher,

Garvin Davis

Defenders

Andrew Johnson

Nigel Charles

Jordan Rage

Tristan Marshall

Kourtney Franklin

Demetre Thomas,

Joseph Barter

Midfielders

Shemron Phillips

Malcolm Stewart

Deal Spring,

Micah Joseph,

Kenija Joseph,

Ted Roberts, 

Java O’Dane, 

Bishon Richards.

Forwards

Olex Anderson

Steven Pierre

Corey Durton Barber

Cornelius Stewart,

 Zeno Solomon

According to Findlay, squad selection was guided by a balance of youth and experience as the national programme looks to build both immediate competitiveness and long-term success.

“We have to look at the maturity of the squad, the experience of the squad, but we also have to drive youth,” the coach explained. He noted that the average age of a competitive international team is around 27 years old and said the national programme is seeking a gradual approach to achieving that balance. 

Findlay said the selection process involved blending emerging players from the country’s youth development programmes with experienced senior players capable of mentoring the next generation.

“We balance some new youth coming out of some of our younger programmes and some of our more experienced players that can guide these players as we go through this process,” he said. 

The coach described the Nations League group as highly competitive, warning that each opponent will present different challenges.

“All of these teams are going to be competitive. All of these teams are going to present their own challenges to us in being successful,” Findlay said. 

The Nations League campaign carries significant importance for the Vincentian team.

Findlay noted that if St Vincent and the Grenadines tops the group after matches in September, October and November, the country will secure qualification for the 2027 Concacaf Gold Cup, the region’s premier international football tournament. 

The Vincy Heat will begin its campaign against French Guiana on September 26 at the Football Federation of Belize (FFB) Stadium in Belmopan, Belize, with kick-off scheduled for 5:00 p.m.

Three days later, on September 29, St Vincent and the Grenadines will face host nation Belize at the same venue, with that match set to begin at 10:00 p.m.

The October window opens on October 3, when the Vincy Heat takes on Sint Maarten at 5:00 p.m. The return fixture against Sint Maarten will be played on October 6, also at 5:00 p.m.

All four matches are scheduled to be played at the FFB Stadium in Belmopan, Belize.

END

About the Author: This story was written and submitted by freelance journalist Mr. Val Matthias, a trained communicator with more than two decades in the media sector. All supporting materials for this story have been presented, vetted, and verified. Mr Matthias can be reached at [email protected]