Ricketts: ‘Busy summer’ for Boyz

Following Jamaica’s historic third-place finish at the recent Concacaf Nations League, Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) president Michael Ricketts is looking forward to a ‘busy summer’ for the Reggae Boyz.

In a press release from the JFF yesterday, Ricketts congratulated the Boyz on their achievement at the Nations League.

Jamaica placed third in the regional competition following a 1-0 victory over Panama, courtesy of a goal from defender Dexter Lembikisa.

Throughout the campaign, the players had set various historic landmarks for the senior men’s team, including a first-time podium placement in the Nations League, as well as Jamaica’s first-ever victory over Canada on Canadian soil after a 3-2 quarterfinals comeback in Toronto.

During the campaign, Jamaica also secured an automatic spot in the 2024 Copa America by virtue of their semi-finals appearance in the Nations League.

With the historic run, the Reggae Boyz have moved up to fifth in the Concacaf Rankings Index, passing Costa Rica, as well as moving up two places in the global FIFA Rankings, to now sit 55th overall.

Ricketts praised the team’s achievement and is anticipating further rankings progression in the summer.

“We are certainly pleased to see our national team move up in the Concacaf and FIFA Rankings respectively,” he said. “For the first time in our history, we landed on the podium in the Concacaf Nations League and now we eagerly anticipate the busy summer that lies ahead.

“Again, we are proud of the Boyz and we look forward to them continuing to move up in the rankings.”

The Boyz’s next assignment will be the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in June. Jamaica has been drawn in Group E alongside Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Dominica and the British Virgin Islands.

Jamaica will face the Dominican Republic on June 6 before their second fixture against Dominica on June 9.

Following this, the Boyz will start their campaign in the Copa America having been drawn in Group B with Ecuador, Mexico and Venezuela. The Copa America also starts in June with Jamaica facing Mexico in their first match on June 22.

The Boyz will then face Ecuador on June 26 before closing out the group stages against Venezuela on June 30.

This will mark Jamaica’s third appearance at the Copa American having been previously invited in 2015 and 2016.