The Saint Lucia senior women’s football team begins its quest for a place in the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup this Thursday, November 27, when they face the United States Virgin Islands at the Bethlehem Soccer Complex in Kingshill, USVI.
Led by captain Racquel John, the squad departed Saint Lucia earlier this week with determination and belief. John, one of the team’s most seasoned players, expressed confidence in her teammates’ resilience:
“If each player has that lion heart, that lion within them, we will perform well against the teams in our group,” she said.
Saint Lucia competes in Group A, alongside Mexico, Puerto Rico, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and the USVI. Currently ranked 156th in FIFA’s women’s standings, the team has already proven its competitive spirit with credible performances in this year’s Windward Islands tournament.
John acknowledged areas for improvement but emphasized readiness:
“We are as prepared as we can be, and with the addition of Saint Lucian players studying abroad on scholarships, our squad is stronger.”
Vice-captain Krysen St Louis echoed her captain’s optimism, stressing the importance of discipline and teamwork:
“All we have to do is follow the coach’s instructions,” she said.
Both leaders credit their rise to grassroots training under the Saint Lucia Football Association’s development programmes, which nurtured their talent from childhood into senior-level play.
Coach Francis McDonald praised the team’s energy and commitment, noting that while some aspects still need refining, the blend of local and overseas-based players gives Saint Lucia a competitive edge.
The FIFA Women’s World Cup, held every four years since 1991, is the pinnacle of international women’s football. The 2027 edition will take place in Brazil from June 24 to July 25, with 32 nations competing. Qualification spans three years, with the host nation automatically securing a place.
For Saint Lucia, Thursday’s match marks the beginning of a journey filled with challenges but also immense opportunity—a chance to prove that their “lion hearts” can roar on the world stage.