Charlotte FC Academy Duo Make U-17 World Cup Qualifying Squads

Qualifying for the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup hosted in Peru from November 10th to December 2nd will begin this month. Charlotte FC Academy players Brian Romero (06) and Sam Duncan (07) both have been called up to represent their respective national teams.

Romero will be representing the United States while Duncan will be representing Trinidad and Tobago. The duo will play against each other later this month in the qualifying tournament which is called the CONCACAF Championships. The four semifinalists of this tournament will automatically qualify for the U-17 World Cup.

The 20-player roster heading to Guatemala for the Concacaf Under-17 Championship, set for Feb. 11-26, will be coached by Gonzalo Segares. The U.S. was drawn into Group F and kicks off the competition against Barbados on Saturday, Feb. 11, takes on Trinidad and Tobago on Monday, Feb. 13, and closes the group stage against regional rival Canada on Wednesday, Feb. 15. All three of the USA’s group stage matches are set for 8 p.m. ET.

The Concacaf U-17 Championship features 20 teams – 16 divided into four groups of four, and four who have already advanced to the Round of 16 via pre-tournament qualifying. The U.S. is looking to win its fourth Concacaf title at this age level after taking home its last U-17 championship in 2011.

Advanced to Round of 16 via pre-tournament qualifying: Bermuda, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua

The top three finishers in the four groups will advance to the Round of 16 and join the four teams already qualified for the knockout round. From there, the teams will play a single-elimination tournament with the four semifinalists qualifying for the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

All three of the USA’s group stage games will be played at Estadio Pensativo in Antigua, Guatemala. Estadio Nacional Doroteo Guamuch Flores in Guatemala City will serve as the other venue for the tournament.