Captain Eva Frazzoni is back in the national squad for the senior women’s national team World Cup qualifying campaign, which starts with two away fixtures next week.

Frazzoni was forced to miss the Island Games in Orkney, where the team clinched a second consecutive gold, because of injury but is back in action for the trips to Cayman Islands and Guatemala. Also returning to the squad are forwards Nia Christopher and Kenni Thompson.

Notable absentees in the squad released by the Bermuda Football Association on Tuesday are professional LeiLanni Nesbeth, who did not make herself available for selection, first-choice goalkeeper Zakhari Turner and defender Taznae Fubler.

Turner’s absence leaves Taya Rodrigues, who has excelled at junior national levels, to fight for the position with Sharifa Crockwell, from Dandy Stars.

Bermuda square off with Cayman next Thursday before facing Guatemala on December 1.

Head coach Naquita Robinson is excited to be embarking on the start of the qualifiers.

“We are thrilled to announce our final team and to kick off this exciting campaign,” Robinson said.

“We know the start of the tournament sets the tone, and securing a positive result early is crucial for building confidence and momentum.

“The players have been working incredibly hard to be ready for this, and we are ready to give everything from the first whistle. We are prepared, motivated and excited to represent Bermuda with pride.”

Bermuda have been drawn in group C alongside Costa Rica, Guatemala, Grenada and Cayman Islands, with the two games next week followed by home games in March and April next year against Costa Rica and Grenada respectively.

Only the group winners are guaranteed a spot in the next World Cup, which takes place in 2027 in Brazil