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PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) has officially abandoned the iconic 'Soca Warriors' nickname for the men's national team after failing to reach a financial agreement with Selwyn Melville, the legal owner of the trademark.

With FIFA World Cup qualifiers approaching in September, the TTFA has launched a public campaign to rebrand the squad, urging fans to suggest a new name that embodies the nation's spirit, culture, and pride.

The dispute over the Soca Warriors name dates back years, with Melville securing full trademark rights after a lengthy legal battle.

The TTFA, under its current president, Kieron Edwards, attempted to negotiate a deal but found Melville's terms unacceptable.

Osmond Downer, TTFA's second vice-president, confirmed that the association could no longer use the name legally.

"The cost was too high, and the proposed contract would have only granted us limited usage while Melville retained full ownership," Downer explained.

Melville, a veteran sports commentator who coined the term during T&T's historic 2006 World Cup campaign, rejected the TTFA's offer of TT$1 million for full rights, arguing that the name's commercial value could skyrocket if the team qualifies for the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada.

The nickname became legendary after Trinidad and Tobago's World Cup qualification, further immortalised by Maximus Dan's anthem, Fighter, with its famous chorus: "Ah is a Soca Warrior."

With the Soca Warriors era officially over, the TTFA is now crowdsourcing a new identity ahead of crucial World Cup qualifiers against Jamaica, Curacao, and Bermuda.