A year ago, the local soccer championship in Jamaica suffered the same consequences as the rest of the world for the coronavirus pandemic. But unlike most federations, the Caribbean island is still unable to develop sports activity. With the Concacaf Playoffs around the corner, local leaders are about to execute an incredible strategy to build a dream team with renowned figures. A new FIFA rule would be the key.
Bob Marley’s home country has a long history of British rule over their territory. After World War II, a wave of Jamaicans left the country for the European islands faced with the need for manpower to rebuild the damage caused by the war. As a result of these migrations, cases such as that of Raheem Sterling, Manchester City striker, born in Kingston, capital of the American country but representing England.
Faced with some rumors about the future of the Jamaican national team, the president of the Federation, Michael Ricketts He expressed his wish on national television and even gave himself the luxury of giving some names with chances to wear the shirt of his country: “The roster is full of talented footballers like Michail Antonio, Max Aarons, Andre Gray, Demarai Gray, Mason Holgate, Isaac Hayden. The latter personally called the Jamaica Football Federation to apply for the national team. After Liam Moore already has in his possession the Jamaican passport, Nathan Redmond, Kemar Roofe e Ivan Toney. All these names are in the process of obtaining their passport “, began the boss.
These footballers, who mostly play in the Premier League, have British nationality as their original, but thanks to the new FIFA rule, their Jamaican roots make them part of this dream. There are certain exceptions that allow those footballers who played a match for one team to do so in another.
Against this backdrop, Jamaica prepares for what could be an unbeatable Knockout. The Reggae Boyz are part of the final phase of the contest organized by Concacaf, in which they will fight for one of the three direct quotas or the repechage for the appointment in Qatar along with Costa Rica, the United States, Honduras, Mexico and the other three teams that arrive from the previous phase.
JAMAICA’S ONLY PARTICIPATION IN A WORLD CUP
In 1998, the island achieved an incredible feat after qualifying for the World Cup hosted by France. Coincidentally, on that occasion he shared the group H with Argentina, Croatia and Japan. It was fall 3-1 before the Europeans and thrashed against Albiceleste by 5-0. But he achieved the long-awaited win over Asians 2-1.