Trinidad and Tobago’s Senior Men’s National Football Team will face Saudi Arabia in an international friendly match on Tuesday, December 17 at the Al Shabab Club Stadium in Riyadh.

This encounter serves as crucial preparation for the Twin Island Republic ahead of their Gold Cup playoff against Cuba in March 2025. Saudi Arabia will also use the match as part of their build-up for the Arabian Gulf Cup later in December.

The match, officially announced by the Saudi Arabia Football Federation on Wednesday, comes on the same day FIFA officially announced the country as the hosts for the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

This fixture marks the first international outing for newly appointed head coach Dwight Yorke, as he begins his tenure aiming to build momentum and solidify his squad.

Yorke will have the services of overseas-based players, including team captain Aubrey David, who plies his trade in Guatemala, and Canadian-based forward Reon Moore. The majority of the squad comprises home-based professionals and players from the recent training camp, reflecting Yorke’s commitment to fostering local talent.

For Yorke, the game is a step toward achieving long-term objectives.

“It will be an honour to lead the Trinidad and Tobago national team against Saudi Arabia later this month. The match represents a major opportunity to create lasting relationships with the Saudi football family and their passionate football fans. This fixture will also showcase the progress of both ambitious and emerging countries and provide an important test ahead of our major tournament preparations, which include the Gold Cup playoff and the World Cup qualifiers,” Yorke told TTFA Media.

“My exciting Trinidad and Tobago squad is motivated to return to the World Cup, 20 years after I was proud to captain my country at the tournament in 2006. This game will be the first step in a journey we take together with players who have given great service as others work for the opportunity to join us along the way. This is an excellent opportunity to assess the team’s readiness and implement our strategies ahead of a critical year. We are focused on building cohesion and ensuring we are fully prepared for the challenges ahead," he added.

Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) President Kieron Edwards extended his gratitude to Saudi Arabia for hosting this match and looks forward to an exciting contest that will further enhance both teams’ preparations for their respective tournaments.

“Securing an international friendly against Saudi Arabia in Riyadh marks a significant step in our journey as we continue to build momentum for the future of Trinidad and Tobago football,” Edwards stated.

“This match offers a valuable opportunity for our team to test their skills against strong opposition on an international stage. It’s also a historic moment as Dwight Yorke leads the team for the first time in an international match as head coach. This is another part of an exciting new chapter for Trinidad and Tobago football," he noted.

Yorke will be without several of his European-based players due to the match being played outside of the FIFA window. They include Canadian-based duo Ryan Telfer and Andre Rampersad, while forward Tyrese Spicer and goalkeeper Denzil Smith are still recovering from injuries.