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JFF reveals player watchlist for final round of qualifiers
August 26, 2025
With the Reggae Boyz squad for the final round of the Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers to be released this Friday, the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) has released a preliminary watchlist of players to be selected for its roster.
The JFF released its 44-player watchlist yesterday, which included a number of familiar faces, as well as new players who could make their international debut.
However, there are a few key notable absentees, which has drawn public attention.
Reggae Boyz head coach Steve McClaren explained the core of his squad for the final round of qualifiers will be selected from the watchlist, but insisted the door is not closed on players who have been omitted.
"These are the players we are following closely with the third round of the Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers set to kick off shortly," McClaren said.
"We are also monitoring and keeping track of other players and I would like to stress that the door is not closed on anyone. We continue to watch all our players from across all continents of the globe."
One of the key absentees from McClaren's squad is long-term JFF target Mason Greenwood, who was reported to be set to join up with the squad this window.
Greenwood's absence continues a trend of uncertainty around the player's availability, which contrasts with ongoing reports that he has been cleared to represent the country.
FAMILIAR NAMES
Several familiar names include team captain Andre Blake, Damion Lowe, Ethan Pinnock, Amari'i Bell, Kasey Palmer, Bobby Reid, Jon Russell, Leon Bailey, Demarai Gray and Michail Antonio.
Bailey, however, is expected to be sidelined for the first window of the final round as he picked up an injury in his first training session, following his loan move to Italy's Serie A giants AS Roma.
Shamar Nicholson has also been listed in McClaren's squad, following his absence from the recent Concacaf Gold Cup, Unity Cup and international friendlies.
Nicholson, who has made 57 appearances for Jamaica since his debut in 2017, has only played once this year, with his lone appearance coming in the first leg of Jamaica's Concacaf Nations League meeting against St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Chelsea's Dujuan Richards has also been listed in the squad as the young forward recently returned from a long-term injury.
Richards made 10 appearances for the national team, with his last coming in 2023, before he was sidelined for 461 days through injury.
NEW FACES
Brentford's Rico Henry headlines a list of new faces. Henry, an experienced defender in the English Premier League, could prove a major boost to Jamaica's defence and has represented England at the youth levels.
Southampton's Cameron Archer is also listed in the JFF's watchlist, as the younger striker impressed in his time in both the Premier League and the EFL Championship.
Jinairo Johnson of Ajax could also make his international debut for Jamaica as the midfielder has been a target for the national programme. The teenager has represented Netherlands at the youth level, but has shown interest in donning the black, green and gold, having been named in McClaren's preliminary squad for the Gold Cup, but was not selected for the final squad.
Interestingly, Bailey Cadamarteri is named in the McClaren's watch list following his selection debacle last year. Cadamarteri was called up by former head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson in March last year before he made a dramatic U-turn, accepting a call-up for the England U19 squad one day later.
Since then, the forward has made four appearances for the various English youth teams.
Youngster Seymour Reid could also receive his first senior call-up following his exploits with the U17 Boyz and rise to prominence with New York City FC in Major League Soccer (MLS).
Jamaica has been drawn in Group B of the final round of qualifiers alongside Trinidad and Tobago, Curacao and Bermuda.
The Boyz will open their campaign against Bermuda away on September 5, before playing their first home game at the National Stadium against Trinidad and Tobago on September 9.
The winner of the group will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while the top two ranked group runners-up will advance to the inter-continental playoffs for another shot at qualification.
