Holness: I paid my own way to FIFA World Cup final, rebuffs criticisms

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has dismissed criticism surrounding his attendance at the FIFA World Cup final in the United States on Sunday, saying taxpayers did not fund the trip.

Holness came under scrutiny on social media after posting a video from the final, where he congratulated Spain on its 1-0 victory over Argentina to lift the FIFA World Cup trophy.

Some online users questioned whether the Prime Minister had travelled to the event using public funds.

Speaking at the signing of the contract for the Kingston Harbour Walk Project on Wednesday, Holness said he covered his own expenses to attend the match.

"Let me put everybody at ease. I went there on my own dime. The government didn't pay for me to go. I paid for myself," he said.

The Prime Minister also said his attendance was in the interest of the country, noting that he was there as a guest of FIFA because of Jamaica's involvement in a joint bid to host the 2031 FIFA Women's World Cup.

"But luckily, I was also the guest of FIFA. So I was invited to attend. And for good reason. You may have heard that Jamaica is part of a bid to host the Women's World Cup in 2031," Holness said.

"I want us as Jamaicans to stop thinking small-minded and think big. Yes, we can be a co-host," he said.

Holness said the Government is positioning Jamaica to accommodate international events, noting plans to rehabilitate and redevelop the National Stadium complex in St Andrew.

He said work is expected to begin in 2027 and be completed by 2029 or 2030, in time for Jamaica to serve as an effective host should the Women's World Cup bid succeed.

"It is only a bid at this moment. But at least we must show the ambition to host," he said.

The Prime Minister added that preparations extend beyond the stadium itself, stressing that Kingston must be equipped to welcome thousands of overseas visitors.

"If Kingston is going to be, more than likely, the host city, we need to have more things than just the stadium. Thousands of people will be coming. We need to be able to show them a good front yard," he said.

The Prime Minister said the reduction in murders and other crimes, and the drive to reduce them even further, has made Jamaica more attractive.

He said the country's declining murder rate has influenced how foreign governments prepare travel advisories, which in turn affect decisions by international organisations considering Jamaica as a venue.

"Jamaica is now being viewed as a safe nearshore destination. The reduction in murders has a significant impact on how travel advisories are crafted," he said.

According to Holness, Jamaica's murder rate has fallen from about 50 per 100,000 people to approximately 25 per 100,000, based on 2025 figures.

He said the Government is targeting a further reduction to 15 per 100,000 by the end of the year.

"If you pair peace with infrastructure, you are on a sure path for growth," the Prime Minister said, adding that the Kingston Harbour Walk Project is another example of the Government's efforts to modernise the capital while positioning Jamaica to attract more international investment and events.

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