April 24 – The Saint Kitts and Nevis FA will host the fifth edition of the 16-team Concacaf Caribbean Shield which will be played between August 3-13, 2023.
The Caribbean Shield is the second tier of Concacaf’s revamped club competition infrastructure for the Caribbean, sitting below the new Concacaf Caribbean Cup competition which will debut end of August with 10 Caribbean clubs divided into two groups of five.
Concacaf has been towards a professional league across the Caribbean, which has so far proved a tough task, not least because of the vast cost of travel. However, the confederation has recognised the Caribbean needs support to improve its club game and create opportunity for local talent to develop.
In this regard the new club competitions are important calendar additions and a step towards an increased professionalism, a point emphasised by Concacaf General Secretary, Philippe Moggio.
“The ongoing growth and development of Caribbean club football is a major priority for Concacaf, and we are extremely pleased to announce the structure and format of the Caribbean Shield, and the Concacaf Caribbean Cup which will qualify three teams into the new expanded Concacaf Champions League,” said Moggio.
“We believe these competitions will elevate leagues and clubs across the Caribbean and we look forward with great anticipation to them commencing in August this year.”
The tournament in Saint Kitts and Nevis will kick off with four groups with the group winners advance to the Semifinals. The two finalists will qualify for 2023 Concacaf Caribbean Cup that starts August 22.
So far 15 of the 16 participants have been confirmed. These are: SV Dakota (Aruba), Scholars International SC (Cayman Islands), CRKSV Jong Holland (Curacao), Sagicor South East FC (Dominica), OyM FC (Dominican Republic), Solidarité Scolaire (Guadeloupe), AS Etoile De Matoury (French Guiana), Waterhouse FC (Jamaica), B1 Football Club (St Lucia), Golden Lion (Martinique), Metropolitan FA (Puerto Rico), St. Pauls United FC (Saint Kitts and Nevis), Junior Stars (Saint Martin), SV Robinhood (Suriname), and SWA Sharks FC (Turks and Caicos Islands). The 16th club will come from Trinidad and Tobago.
The draw for the groups will be held June 8.
The Caribbean Shield finalists will join two (to be named) Trinidad and Tobago teams, as well as the six qualified clubs: Cibao FC (Dominican Republic), Moca FC (Dominican Republic), Club Atletico Pantoja (Dominican Republic), Cavalier SC (Jamaica), Dunbeholden FC (Jamaica), and Harbour View FC (Jamaica).
The top two teams in each group will go through to the semi-finals. The finalists plus the winners of the third place play-off will qualify for the 2024 Concacaf Champions League.
2023 Concacaf Caribbean Cup Schedule Windows
Group Stage: August 22-24 (week 1), August 29-31 (week 2), September 19-21 (week 3), September 26-28 (week 4), and October 3-5 (week 5).
Semifinals: October 24-26 (first legs) and October 31 – November 2 (second legs).
Final and Third Place Play-In: November 28-30 (first legs) and December 5-7 (second legs).
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