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No easy road for Reggae Boyz – Ricketts
December 22, 2022
President of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Michael Ricketts believes the qualification for the 2026 World Cup will not be easier for the Reggae Boyz, despite the event being held in the United States of America, Canada and Mexico and Concacaf having a possible six and a half spots.
The hosts will get three automatic places, while three and a half slots will have to be played for, with the top three in the playoffs earning automatic qualification and the fourth place playing in a confederation playoff for another spot.
Ricketts insists it would be a travesty for the Boyz not to be at the 2026 tournament, although he pointed out that the teams in the region are improving and the JFF will have to get it right to achieve the target.
"We must go to the 2026 World Cup. It is in our region and it would be a travesty if we aren't there. The world is expecting Jamaica to be there. I just came back from the World Cup and many people were wishing us well and that we ought to be there when it comes to our region in 2026," he commented.
"With that in mind, we are very hopeful that we will be at World Cup 2026. There are three and a half positions and I won't say it will be any easier because everyone has been stepping up to the plate.
"We want to ensure that we do what we have to do and give the coaching staff as much support as possible. The campaign will be long and hard but, hopefully, success will come," he continued.
He added that coach Heimir Hallgrimmson would have to provide the federation with a draft of his plan to achieve qualification in January when his contract officially starts. He also promises that local-based players will get their chance as well.
"The moment we failed in our (2022 World Cup) qualification we sought how we could get it right. We started with getting a coach we think could demand the kind of loyalty and commitment from everybody and right away he has shown a level of strength and maturity and we are very expectant," Ricketts said.
"He is expected to come in the middle of January and will officially start his contract then. The coach provides us with a road map of what his plans are to get us to the 2026 World Cup. We are very excited at the prospect.
"We want to give opportunities to our local players to ensure that the coach gives them a chance to show their worth, but it is very important that we be there, as it will be in our region," he reiterated.
