The first and second rounds were scheduled for August and September, and October respectively. The draw for the qualifying round was made in March 2012. The following teams qualified:
Preparations
This is the first international tournament organised by the CFU since the corruption scandal. Prior to hosting the tournament, Paul "Chet" Greene, a former General Secretary of the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association raised concerns that Antigua's FA may not be able to afford to host the tournament and suggested that it would require state aid. It was the incumbent ABFA General Secretary Derrick Gordon that went on to become the President of the Caribbean Football Union and ultimately select the hostnation. Greene stated, "Antigua not necessarily in a position to give as they normally would, I think government becomes the only option at this stage and a call for larger than usual attendances to allow the association to pay the bills." Greene also said that in the event of a grant from the CFU, the association would "still have a chunk of expenses to bear." ABFA President Everton Gonsalves responded, "the value to football is not something that can be valued in dollars." CFU President Gordon Derrick stated that "Football is an expensive venture in all aspects; development comes at a cost so monies have to be spent." At the 2013 CFU Congress, Derrick Gordon stated that they could not come to an agreement with usual sponsors Digicel as they "couldn't agree on a deal in time for the Caribbean Cup, as Digicel's budget year had closed."
Venues
Two venues have been chosen to host the tournament.
Squads
Draw
Teams were allocated to this stage based on a fixed draw. The draw was decided thus: ;Group A
Host
Group 6 winner
Group 7 runners-up
Group 8 winner
;Group B
Previous competition winner
Group 6 runner-up
Group 7 winner
Group 8 runner-up
The result of the draw was amended on 19 November, the Group 7 runner-up was transferred to Group B and the Group 7 winner was transferred to Group A. As a result of the amendment Group A contains three qualifying group winners and the host, whilst Group B contains three qualifying group runners-up and the previous edition competition winner. Martinique, the team transferred to Group B containing no qualifying group-winners, is the only association in the competition with a CFU Executive Committee member besides hosts Antigua and Barbuda.
Group stage
The complete schedule for finals was released on 20 November. ;Tiebreakers
Greater number of points in matches between the tied teams.
