Latest News
‘This come in like a gift’ - Local experts weigh in on Reggae Boyz’s World Cup chances
October 10, 2025
The Reggae Boyz will tackle Curacao in a Concacaf World Cup Qualifying football match at the Ergilio Hato Stadium in Curacao today, starting at 7 p.m. Jamaica time.
It is the third in the qualifying series among four teams in a group that also involves Trinidad and Tobago and Bermuda.
With two wins in as many matches, 4-0 against Bermuda and 2-0 over Trinidad and Tobago, the Reggae Boyz have maximum six points and top the group.
Curacao, which drew their opening match against Trinidad and Tobago, defeated Bermuda 3-2 to secure their fourth point and second position in Group B.
Trinidad and Tobago are third with one point, while Bermuda are still without a point.
All the teams will play six matches in the home and away series, with the top team alone qualifying for next year's World Cup to be staged in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
With qualifying matches against Caribbean-only teams to secure a World Cup Finals berth, this is seen as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the nation's senior men's team to qualify for the World Cup a second time.
They made their debut in 1998.
A number of the country's top football experts, including two former national players, Lenworth Hyde and Sean Fraser - who are now coaches, former assistant Reggae Boyz coach Bradley Stewart and top journalist Nodley Wright, who has extensively covered sports, particularly football and the Reggae Boyz for decades, weigh in on the team's qualifying engagement.
Wright also worked extensively as the Reggae Boyz's media officer for close to a decade.
LENWORTH 'TEACHER' HYDE:-
"It's a tricky game. You can't underestimate Curacao. We've to make sure we go there and score goals.
"We've to defend well. They have players overseas playing in good leagues, we don't want to go in there underestimating the opponent.
"It's very important, we've to make sure we get this win tomorrow. We've two tough games coming up.
"The coach has to keep the players focused. Everybody have to be working together to make it happen; the coach, the players, the management, everybody in the group.
"Playing against Caribbean teams to make the World Cup, this come in like we get a gift. We can't give up this chance, we can't let this slip out of our grasp."
BRADLEY STEWART: -
"What strikes me is that we have a really nice group of players that have been exposed overtime playing at this level. So they would have developed a kind of understanding and familiarity with what each player has to offer. So I'm expecting, based on the opposition that we have, that we will come out on the bright side, with victory, hopefully.
"I am not of the view that the quality of the opposition out there will cost us a lot of problems. My obvious feeling is that we should win the games that we have and qualify for the World Cup.
"Traditionally, Curacao is not expected to pose serious issues for the Jamaican team, given the difference in quality. I don't want to disrespect any team, because we've to put our best performance out there every time to get get good results. If it is that we can say that we have selected quality players to our system, then we should have ambitions of doing well.
"The team has done well in recent times and ... they will have enough motivation in terms of what's out there to go out there and do their best."
SEAN FRASER:-
"From the beginning I think we got a good group to qualify from. It could not have come any easier.
"We can't approach the game overconfident. Curacao at home is a very different team than when they're away. They're very hard to break down.
"I think we've to approach the game the same way we approached the game at home, play to win, don't play to draw the game. We've to approach the game like we need all the points.
"While attacking we need to protect the back and defend well. With Rudolph Speid we're a little more stable.
"I believe everything is falling into place. I like how we're using the local-based players who have moved overseas... I was once in their shoes. I think it shows the younger players coming up that there's hope and opportunity for them to represent the national team.
"The World Cup qualifying is bringing passion for football back to Jamaica. Everything is happening perfectly for us. It's just for us to capitalise."
NODLEY WRIGHT:-
Despite playing away from home today, the Reggae Boyz should start as favourites. The Jamaicans will have a distinct advantage. This edge is less about Jamaica's footballing superiority and more about two major injury blows that have weakened the home side -- one in attack and one in defence.
Tahith Chong, the former Manchester United youth star, has had a major impact on the 'Blue Wave', as Curacao are dubbed, since he switched his allegiance from the Netherlands. The Sheffield United midfielder shone in the September window, scoring twice and registering an assist in their crucial 3-2 victory over Bermuda. A knee injury has now ruled him out of this window, meaning Curacao loses a major piece of their firepower.
On the defensive side, Riechedly Bazoer is suffering from a muscle injury. His absence could weaken their defence, potentially opening a door for the hungry young attacker Bailey Cadamarteri and/or the veteran Shamar Nicholson, who must still be smarting from the perceived disrespect meted out to him by coach Steve McClaren.
Jamaica looks a disjointed unit but possess enough individual quality to make something happen and come away from Willemstad with a victory or at least a draw. With captain Andre Blake returning, the team should be more defensively assured. But for me, the most exciting news is the return to the squad of 19-year-old Dujuan Richards, now of Chelsea. His presence should add more quality and competition to the offensive line, and as a locally-grown player, he provides another face that local fans can truly identify with.
