Thursday at Somerset and Devonshire Rec., Bermuda Football Association confirmed yesterday.

It will be the first visit to Bermuda by Antigua since 1992 when they played in a World Cup qualifying match. And BFA officials see the upcoming games as a launching pad for what they hope will be another World Cup qualifying campaign.

The initial dates of January 13 and 15 were changed because the Friday match would have clashed with the Bank of Butterfield Mile. Now, Antigua, who arrive on Monday evening, have just one day to settle in before their opening match on Tuesday at Somerset (8.00).

Next Thursday's match will be at Devonshire Rec. and will be preceded by a schools final between Berkeley and CedarBridge at 6.00 p.m.

"We're very pleased about being able to bring a quality Caribbean side to Bermuda,'' said general secretary David Sabir yesterday. "All this is gearing up to the Shell Caribbean Cup. In preparation, we have to go through growing pains but from our perspective it's all part of the building process.'' Sabir praised sponsors Centre Solutions, Bank of Bermuda, Cable & Wireless, Ace and Shell for helping to make the tour possible -- a tour which Technical Director, Clyde Best, also sees as important in the rebuilding of the national programme.

"We have picked a squad of about 30 players -- there might be injuries on Sunday in the league games -- and it gives me a chance to look at other players,'' said Best yesterday.

"We have included one or two younger players and it will give me the chance to look at those players. It's a wonderful chance for the younger players to step up and put their authority in there.

"Obviously it's not going to be our strongest team because the three boys who are overseas (David Bascome, Shawn Goater and Kyle Lightbourne) are not here.

But it still gives us a good chance to look at other players.'' Added Best: "All this is geared up towards the Shell Cup and the World Cup because we have to start preparing for that now and not wait until the last moment. I'm just excited that we have finally got a string of games where the players have something to aim for. I'm hoping this is something that will continue, because if we want to play in the World Cup we have to be playing games.'' The Danish Under-21 team are due to visit Bermuda at the end of the month.

Sabir confirmed that they will arrive on January 21 and leave on the 31st and will play two matches, details of which are still being finalised.