Belize’s 2023/2024 CONCACAF Nations League Journey Begins

The Football Federation of Belize says the Belize National Men’s Football Team is ready to compete in the 2023-2024 CONCACAF Nations League. This is the league that qualifies countries for the Gold Cup and positions them for the World Cup Qualifiers. Team Belize is grouped with Saint Vincent, French Guiana and Bermuda. Today, the team left the country to play two matches, the first against Saint Vincent and the second against French Guiana. We caught up with them at the Phillip Goldson International Airport this morning.

Marlon Kuylen

Marlon Kuylen, Executive Member, F.F.B.

“Like I told the team this morning, you know they are well prepared, they get everything they need to be comfortable, to be well rested, to be mentally prepared. And, we have been doing well in the other disciplines, especially over the summer. All the other disciplines have been doing well. Now it is our turn. WE have under achieved and I stress, we have under achieved in the past two years. Now, it is to go out there, the work has been done. It is to go out there and do it on the pitch. So, let us hope they do it.”

Eldon Reneau

Eldon Reneau, Midfielder, Belize National Team

“Preparations has been good so far and we expect six points coming back to Belize. It is a good group for us. It is a winning group and we are well focused on well prepared for this travel to French Guiana.”

Michael Palacio

Michael Palacio, Center Forward, Belize National Team

“We have been prepared with our club teams for these matches. It is nothing new to us. WE have been playing competitive match and we are here to go out there and get the job done.”

Eugene Martinez

Eugene Martinez, Center Back, Belize National Team

“Well I think it is the new start we have. It is a brand new tournament that we have. Everybody is at zero points. For us it is to get our first three and that is going to encourage us to get the six points and then we go from there.”

Ian Jones

Ian Jones, National Team Manager

“We have more of our players playing international and getting international training. We have several that the federation has sent out as well. So that basically is the approach we have been taking. Our players are more experienced. Also if you notice the lineup we have a lot of new, younger players who are basically doing great things in the local league. We are building the team around those players. We still have a few veteran players like Everal Trapp. The intention is for a four to five years plan.”