Howard McIntosh’s recent visit to Bermuda turned out to be a “legendary experience” he will forever cherish.

The Concacaf Director of Caribbean Member Association Affairs had the wonderful opportunity to meet local legend and former West Ham striker Clyde Best during a milestone event at the Bermuda Football Association’s headquarters, celebrating the official designation of its National Academy as a Fifa Talent Academy.

“When I come to Bermuda, I feel like I am home, and this time was an extra pleasure because I got to sit with Clyde Best,” McIntosh told The Royal Gazette.

“For me, that’s not only a legendary experience, but one that I will treasure forever because he was one of the forerunners for all of us – and that made it an even greater evening.”

Best, who scored 47 goals in 186 appearances for West Ham between 1968 and 1976 and is one of the first Black players to play in England, also enjoyed meeting McIntosh.

“This was the first time I’ve ever met him and it was a nice experience. It always is when you meet people and find out exactly what’s going on, especially in our region,” said Best, who also played for Dutch side Feyenoord and North American Soccer League outfits Tampa Bay Rowdies, Toronto Blizzard and Portland Timbers.

“We are one of the smallest regions, and we need to make sure we are always going in the right direction.“

McIntosh also took the opportunity to congratulate Bermuda’s men’s and women’s gold medal-winning exploits at the recent Island Games in Orkney, as well as the senior national team’s progression to the final round of 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers.

“Congratulations to Bermuda on winning the gold medals at the Island Games which is great because it’s men and women,” he said.

“At Concacaf, we emphasise the football first philosophy, and we are seeing it taking root in all the member associations, and we love to see that. It speaks to the progress that is happening in our confederation.

“I also want to congratulate the BFA on the work they have done in getting to the final round of the World Cup qualifiers.

“I wish the BFA tremendous luck. It’s a great opportunity for them, and I hope to see Bermuda because that would be another record in terms of the smallest country ever to have qualified for the World Cup.”

The Gombey Warriors will kick off their crucial campaign when they host regional powerhouses Jamaica at Flora Duffy Stadium on September 5 before facing Curaçao four days later at the Ergilio Hato Stadium in Willemstad.

Trinidad & Tobago are the remaining team in group B, which will see teams play each other on a home-and-away basis spread across three international windows from September to November.

The eventual three group winners will qualify directly for next year’s World Cup, joining hosts Canada, Mexico and the USA. Additionally, the best two runners-up will represent Concacaf in the Fifa Play-off Tournament, with a further two qualification spots available.

In total, the Concacaf region could have up to eight teams at the World Cup for the first time.