CHASING THE DREAM

SITTING calmly at the head table, Jamaica’s Head Coach Rudoph Speid set a tone of pragmatic realism and intense focus as he unveiled his 23-man squad to face Concacaf powerhouse Mexico in a pivotal two-legged Nations League clash, aiming to qualify for the regional showpeice — the Gold Cup. The Jamaicans are set to host Mexico on Friday, November 14, at the National Stadium at 8:00 pm, and then travel to Mexico for the second leg on Tuesday, November 17 in Monterrey at 9.30 pm Jamaica time. The winner of the two-legged tie will advance to the semi-final of the Nations League and by extension gain an automatic spot in the Concacaf Gold Cup. “Victory on aggregate will help not only to get to the semi-finals of the Nations League and qualify to the Gold Cup, but also helps us in World Cup ranking for the World Cup Qualifiers in 2030. So it’s a very important game for us,” Speid pointed out during the press conference. “What is important in this particular game, which is very significant, is that video assistant referee (VAR) will be on display,” Speid noted with a faint smile. “They are using VAR in both games. I mean I must tell you that we have no luck with VAR so far, but let’s see,” he added.

Jamaica Reggae Boyz captain and goalkeeper Andre Blake (Photo JFF)

Speid, who took charge of the Reggae Boyz in November 2025, almost one year in the hot seat, announced his 23-man team including one newcomer, Denzel Hall of Rotherham United in League Two in England. The 25 year-old Hall, who plays right back, previously represented The Netherlands youth teams from Under-15 to Under-17 between 2015 and 2017. Hall is of Jamaican parentage. “He was always someone that we were watching. But at this particular time, you know, there’s a real shortage of players in that position and he has done well enough to get a call-up. And we decided to call him to see what he could do. He learned his football in the Dutch League,” said Speid. Sixteen players are returning from the last window in this 23-member squad: Andre Blake, Amal Knight, Richard King, Miguel Freckleton, Joel Latibeaudiere, Christopher Ainsworth, Kyle Ming, Ronaldo Webster, Brandon Cover, Courtney Clarke, Karoy Anderson, Kaheim Dixon, Ronaldo Cephas, Javon East, Tyreece Campbell, and Damion Lowe. The other players are goalkeeper Jahmali Waite, Kevon Lambert, Tyrese Hall, Dwight Merrick, Warner Brown and Khori Bennett. If goalkeeper Blake is selected for both games he will achieve 100 caps for Jamaica. Speid explained why Leon Bailey and Dujuan Richards were not included.

Honduras player Kervin Arriaga slide tackles Jamaica’s Ronaldo Webster during the Concacaf Nations League Cup football match at the Nacional Chelato Ucles stadium in Tegucigalpa on October 5, 2026. (Photo: AFP)

“...When you come to a play-off game you have to be sure of every single person that you put in that squad because we only have 23 and if you have people that are doubtful and you bring them in you could end up with a lot less players than you really need. And I am telling you, in this particular game, players have to be fit. Mexico is no joke. It’s like playing two away games. “So, you know, you have to look at the risk. We’re getting people that are not 100 per cent as against somebody who’s playing every single day, day in, day out and putting up very good performances,” said Speid. The Regage Boyz enter the tie on an upward trajectory, still number one in the Caribbean, sitting sixth in the Concacaf and 69th globally. Mexico are 59 spots ahead, coming in at number 10 in the world. Jamaica holds four hostorical victories over Mexico and Speid is under no illusions regarding the magnitude of the task ahead. “A team that is ranked 10th in the world is no joke. We understand the type of monster we’re up against. But that is why the games are being played. They are not unbeatable. You just have to be on your best game and you need a little luck too,” he pointed out. The players should arrive for camp between November 8 and 9.