Just a few weeks after replacing Gary Darrell as national soccer coach, Kenny Thompson yesterday unveiled the squad which he hopes will lead Bermuda to World Cup glory early next year.

But Thompson, who retains his position within Bermuda Football Association as Director of Youth Development, insisted he picked his players with a view to long term success.

Looking beyond the World Cup qualifying campaign, Thompson admitted he had put a heavy emphasis on youth.

The 25 players chosen ? many of whom have already attended three training sessions under Thompson ? include veterans such as former professionals, goalkeeper Dwayne Adams, Meshach Wade and Kentoine Jennings.

However, among the most notable missing names are those of last season?s MVP Raymond Beach and his Devonshire Cougars strike partner Heys Wolffe, who have been the most prolific goalscorers in the Premier Division for the past two seasons.

Of those selected, many will be relishing the chance to play senior international football for the first time.

Bermuda are scheduled to play their first World Cup qualifying match against another CONCACAF country in February, although the round draw has yet to be made.

Thus, Thompson has little over two months to prepare his squad for their first major challenge.

?Obviously the World Cup is important, but we?re looking beyond that,? said Thompson last night. ?This is a fairly young squad of players who I feel are quite technical, and who have the ability to produce.

?We have a little bit of experience in the squad with the likes of Meshach, Kentoine and Dwayne, which I think is important. Hopefully, the younger players will be able to learn from them.?

Meanwhile, Thompson said those not included in his squad should not be despondent.

?We could still be making additions,? he explained. ?We?ll be looking closely at players? performance with their club. We haven?t closed the door on anyone.?

Those already selected, however, will be expected to perform both at training and at club level. ?Nobody?s place is guaranteed,? warned the coach.

As expected, defending league and FA Cup champions North Village have more players in the squad ? six ? than any other club. Besides Jennings, David Thomas, Jemeiko Jennings, Ralph Bean jr, Jason Davis and Kofi Dill are all included.

Current league leaders Dandy Town are also well represented with Jamel Warren, Jared Peniston and Khano Smith as are Boulevard with Stanton Lewis, Robert Wilson and Leonard Hypolite.

The full squad is as follows:

Dwayne Adams (Southampton Rangers), Troy Hall (St. George?s), Nigel Burgess (Hamilton Parish), Kentoine Jennings (North Village), David Thomas (North Village), Meshach Wade (Southampton Rangers), Tokia Russell (PHC), Stanton Lewis (Boulevard), Musceo Hunt (Somerset Eagles), Kofi Dill (North Village), Jamel Warren (Dandy Town), Robert Wilson (Boulevard), Leonard Hypolite (Boulevard), Kwame Steede (Devonshire Cougars), Sean Simmons (Somerset Eagles), Jemeiko Jennings (North Village), Jared Peniston (Dandy Town), Jason Davis (North Village), Domico Coddington (Devonshire Cougars), Clevon Hill (Hamilton Parish), Damon Ming (Somerset Trojans), Khano Smith (Dandy Town), Ralph Bean jr (North Village), Steven Astwood (PHC), Dion Stovell (Somerset Trojans).