Yorke previously captained the Soca Warriors during their only World Cup appearance in 2006 in Germany, where they were unable to progress past a group that included England, Sweden, and Paraguay.
Kieron Edwards, president of the Trinidadian soccer federation, expressed confidence in Yorke's appointment, stating, “Dwight’s experience, leadership, and commitment to the red, white, and black are exactly what we need to inspire our players and our nation.”
At 52 years old, Yorke takes the helm of a team currently positioned second in a five-team World Cup qualifying group, trailing only Costa Rica. The top two teams will move on to the next round, and Trinidad can secure its spot by defeating Saint Kitts and Nevis on June 6.
In the upcoming World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, CONCACAF has three guaranteed spots, with the host nations receiving automatic qualification. Additionally, two more teams may qualify through intercontinental playoffs.
Yorke's most recent coaching experience was in Australia with Macarthur, where he led the team to a national cup title in 2022 before departing last year. He subsequently won a settlement against the club at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Yorke enjoyed a successful playing career, spending nearly a decade at Aston Villa before joining Manchester United prior to their historic treble-winning season in 1998-99.