Ricketts wants fans for WCQ

Jamaica Football Federation President Michael Ricketts is hopeful that fans will be able to return to venues in time to support the Reggae Boyz 2022 World Cup Qualifying Campaign.

This, after Concacaf announced on Monday changes to the World Cup qualifiers schedule which also sees the final round expanded to eight teams.

Jamaica advance to the final round which starts next June having maintained its top five ranking along with Mexico, The United States, Costa Rica and Honduras.

Phased reopening

While training and local track meets have returned in athletics, there hasn't been any indication on a timeline when or if fans can return to events this year. With the coronavirus continuing to cause concerns in the country's continued phased reopening, Ricketts hopes that by June, those measures could be eased.

"Hopefully, by then, we would be a little bit more relaxed as it relates to COVID," Ricketts told STAR Sports.

Concacaf president Victor Montagliani, in an interview with Canada's onesoccer.com on Monday, said that the regional body would not stipulate a policy as to if fans would be allowed to return to stadiums with the preliminary rounds of qualifying now scheduled for October.

"That's a domestic decision. So each jurisdiction will be making that decision so who knows where we will be in October or November," Montagliani said.

Meanwhile, the National Stadium was expected to be under renovations starting next January but in an April interview, Minister of Sport Olivia Grange said COVID could result in those plans being changed. When asked about the possible availability of the facility for the June qualifiers, Ricketts said that he is confident in receiving positive feedback.

"The minister has always given her support to sport. So, hopefully, nothing has changed. We are into uncharted waters as it relates to COVID. but the minister has always supported us and we are looking forward to some positive results as we try to get to Qatar 2022," he said.