Former Trinidad and Tobago football star and ex-head coach Russell Latapy has revealed that he has been "indirectly contacted" by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) following the sacking of head coach Angus Eve in July. Latapy, a legendary figure in Trinidad and Tobago football, made the revelation during the launch of Brian Lara’s book Lara: The England Chronicles on September 17.

Eve, who was appointed Soca Warriors head coach in 2021, was dismissed after Trinidad and Tobago earned four points from their first two FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Grenada and the Bahamas in June. Since then, Derek King has taken over as caretaker coach but has struggled to get positive results. Under King’s guidance, the Soca Warriors were beaten 4-0 by Honduras on September 6 in the Concacaf Nations League A, followed by a 0-0 draw against French Guiana on September 10.

When asked by Newsday if he had applied for the head coach position, Latapy, fondly known as the "Little Magician" during his playing days, stated that while he had not formally applied, he remains open to helping the national team if needed. "No, I haven’t applied for the Soca Warriors job," Latapy said. However, he confirmed that there had been indirect contact from the TTFA regarding the position.

Latapy, who represented Trinidad and Tobago at the 2006 World Cup and previously coached the national men’s team from 2009-2011, acknowledged the difficulties the TTFA has faced as it transitions under new leadership. "I think a lot has been happening with the TTFA, which has changed hands from the normalisation committee to the new president Kieron Edwards," Latapy explained. "The new president needs a bit of time to settle into the job. I think it’s documented the difficulties the TTFA and football in general has been through."

Though he has yet to apply for the head coaching role, Latapy made it clear that he is willing to return to the national setup if his expertise is called upon. "I’ve never turned my back on Trinidad and Tobago and football by extension. If the opportunity arises that the TTFA thinks I can support in any way, I would be more than happy to assist," he said.

Former Soca Warriors captain Dwight Yorke has joined the calls for a possible review of Trinidad and Tobago’s citizenship law, as he believes a constitutional reform would substantially increase the nation’s player pool, and with it, their chances of FIFA World Cup qualification.

Unlike Jamaica and other countries across the region which have tapped into their heritage players from England and elsewhere, it is not the same with the twin island republic, as chapter two, section 17 (ii) of their constitution states that “A person shall not become a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago, if at the time of his birth – (a) neither of his parents is a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago.”

Soca Warriors Head coach Angus Eve last year pointed out that such a law is hampering the expansion of Trinidad and Tobago’s football, since the majority of other Caribbean territories can invite players whose grandparents have local lineage, to represent their nation on the international stage.

Yorke concurs, as he is also of the view that the legislation has Trinidad and Tobago on the back foot, and is hampering the nation’s chances of progressing, while other countries hold a clear player-selection advantage.

“I think also we’re on the back foot where we’re not opening up to…and I say this openheartedly, that I feel that we’re kind of stifling our opportunity to recruit players,” Yorke told reporters after the Legends All-Star match last week.

He continued: “You’re seeing all the other countries being able to recruit players, and that’s a big factor. We’re a small country and we don’t have many people to choose from. So, anybody with any type of nationality that is linked to T&T that player of a certain level, could only be a benefit for us, so why deprive that.

“That’s something we need to look at, the people and heads of state are the ones to make that decision. But I think we are limiting ourselves by not allowing people who had something to connect to T&T in a bloodstream type of way, having to go through the difficulty of getting the passport.”

That said, the 52-year-old former Manchester United striker, like others believes the 2026 FIFA World Cup represents Trinidad and Tobago’s best chance of making another appearance at the global showpiece to follow their historic 2006 showing.

This as Concacaf powerhouse teams –Canada, Mexico and United States –have earned automatic spots by virtue of being hosts and, as such, will not be a part of the upcoming qualifiers scheduled to begin next month.

So, with three direct qualification spots, plus two more available via an inter-confederation playoff, Yorke said it represents a grand opportunity for Trinidad and Tobago to capitalise. Eve’s side is drawn in Group B alongside Bahamas, Costa Rica, St Kitts and Nevis and Grenada.

Dwight Yorke (right) in discussion with other Soca Warriors legends.

“(There’s) five opportunities for us to qualify. It’s never easy but the opportunity is really good for us. If we really get the government, heads of state, sponsors, public sector and people to really invest in football, and give Angus and team all the resources he needs then it can happen,” he reasoned.

“We need those little things to go our way to really improve the quality that we’re so lacking at the moment. Let’s hope the World Cup campaign is something that is really on a positive note and you see the support we have, let’s hope that continues,” Yorke added.

With legends like himself, Russell Latapy and others, having laid the foundation for the current generation to follow, Yorke said the onus is now on those players to make the most of the opportunity to achieve great things on their journey. He again stressed the positive impact that World Cup qualification can have on not only Eve and his players, but more importantly, the country.

“Sometimes you need to take a step back to go forward again. The World Cup campaign is something positive. We need something really positive to happen in the country because there’s so much negative coming out. Let’s hope the World Cup campaign is such a positive one that it rubs off on the younger generation,” Yorke shared.

“It certainly did when I was growing up. We’re probably a bit of a dying breed the Russell, Shaka Hislop and Stern John, the guys who had the opportunity to play abroad. Let’s hope it will encourage the younger boys. The foundation is there, and the opportunities are even greater. You put your work in, and you get your reward,” he ended.