‘WE’RE WATCHING’
JFF releases list of players they are eyeing ahead of final World Cup push
Published:Tuesday | August 26, 2025 | 12:09 AMGregory Bryce/Staff Reporter
WITH THE Reggae Boyz squad for the final round of the Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers to be revealed this Friday, the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) has released a preliminary watch list of players to be selected for its roster.
The JFF released the 44-player watch list ahead of the qualifiers yesterday which included a number of familiar faces to the senior squad, as well as new players who could make their international debut.
However, there are also some notable absences.
Reggae Boyz head coach Steve McClaren explained that the core of his squad for the final round of qualifiers will be selected from the watch list, but insisted the door was 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.”
Greenwood absent
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 national programme.
Several familiar names in McClaren’s watch list includes 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 Serie A giants AS Roma.
Shamar Nicholson has also been listed in McClaren’s watch list 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 McClaren’s 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.
Brentford’s Rico Henry headlines a list of new faces who could make their debut for Jamaica in the final round of qualifiers.
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 on the JFF’s watch list, 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 the 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.
Selection debacle
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 Hallgrímsson in March last year before he made a dramatic U-turn, accepting a call-up for the England U-19 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.
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 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 play-offs for another shot at qualification.
JFF’S 44-man watch list:
Goalkeepers: Andre Blake, Jahmali Waite, Shaquan Davis, Amal Knight, Tafari Chambers
Defenders: Dexter Lembikisa, Amari’i Bell, Mason Holgate, Richard King, Joel Latibeaudiere, Damion Lowe, Greg Leigh, Ethan Pinnock, Rico Henry, Di’Shon Bernard
Midfielders: Kasey Palmer, Isaac Hayden, Jon Russell, Jahshaun Anglin, Karoy Anderson, Ian Fray, Bobby Reid, Tyrese Hall, Jinairo Johnson, Kevon Lambert
Forwards: Tyrece Campbell, Leon Bailey, Kaheim Dixon, Demarai Gray, Shamar Nicholson, Dujuan Richards, Warner Brown, Rumarn Burrell, Renaldo Cephas, Michail Antonio, Norman Campbell, Trivante Stewart, Cameron Archer, Malik Mothersille, Bailey Cadamarteri, Romario Williams, Javon East, Jamal Lowe, Seymoure Reid