French West Indies at the PSG World Cup Tournament held in Paris.
PARIS, FRANCE — A talented group of young footballers from St. Maarten has made the entire island proud after delivering an outstanding performance at the
PSG World Cup Tournament held in Paris.
Selected from a pool of more than 93 young players across the French West Indies, the St. Maarten boys earned the honor of representing the region at one of the world’s most competitive youth football tournaments. Competing against elite youth teams from around the globe, the team showcased exceptional discipline, determination, and skill throughout the tournament.
Their remarkable journey ended with an impressive 5th place overall finish out of 44 international teams, a result that has captured the attention and admiration of supporters both at home and abroad.
Coaches and spectators praised the team’s teamwork, technical ability, and fighting spirit as they went head-to- head with some of the strongest youth academies in international football. The young athletes demonstrated resilience under pressure and played with a level of confidence far beyond their years.
The PSG World Cup Tournament, hosted by Paris Saint-Germain F.C., is known for bringing together top youth talent from across the world, making the St. Maarten
team’s achievement even more significant.
Parents, supporters, and members of the local football community have celebrated the boys’ success, calling it a historic moment for youth football in St. Maarten. Many
believe this accomplishment highlights the growing talent and potential emerging from the island and the wider Caribbean region.
“This is more than just a tournament result,” one supporter said. “These boys represented St. Maarten with pride, heart, and excellence. Finishing 5th in the world among 44 teams is an incredible achievement.”
The team’s success is expected to inspire the next generation of young footballers across the island, proving that with hard work, dedication, and belief, Caribbean talent can compete on the world stage.
Please note that of the 12 players selected for the U11 category, 7 come from SXM, including 3 from FC RISCTAKERS (Khaleo Jean Baptiste, Nael Messaoudi, and Carter Yeung), making this club the most represented from all the French Antilles (Réunion, Martinique, Guadeloupe, and SXM).
The team was in Group A where they defeated Jordan (10-0) and Morocco (3-1) before loosing (1-2) their first game to Brazil which went on to win the competition. The team went on to beat Russia (4-1) and Canada (3-0) before loosing the quarter final to France on penalties.
