Still no Greenwood
Reggae Boyz head coach says striker does not want to commit future to Jamaica at this time
Published:Saturday | August 30, 2025 | 12:08 AMGregory Bryce/Staff Reporter
While confirming long-term Reggae Boyz target Mason Greenwood has received his documents needed to represent the island, head coach Steve McClaren said the striker does not want to commit his future to Jamaica just yet.
McClaren explained after extensive work in order to acquire a passport for the England-born striker, the expectation was for Greenwood to make his debut during the upcoming pair of Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers.
These plans were derailed after the striker indicated he is not yet ready to don the black, green and gold of Jamaica.
“Lastly, and by no means least, Mason Greenwood has finally acquired his passport,” McClaren confirmed.
“We acquired a passport and we expected him to come into this camp but, on a conversation with his family, he is not going to commit at this time to anybody so he’s taking his time over that.”
The Reggae Boyz boss, however, said the door is not closed on his arrival in the future, as they will continue to keep in contact with the striker.
Greenwood had started the process to switch his allegiance from England to Jamaica after his fall from grace with the Three Lions.
In 2022, Greenwood was arrested and charged with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The charges were dropped a year later but Greenwood has not been able to regain his spot in England’s set-up.
“It’s a little bit disappointing, we will have to be a bit more patient but we will keep the contact and we will keep pursuing him,” McClaren said.
“I know from my conversations with Mason and his family he loves Jamaica and he respects Jamaica, but he wants to concentrate on his club football and not come into an international team at the moment.”
McClaren said, despite Greenwood’s absence, he is focused on ensuring Jamaica has all the pieces needed to make a strong charge at a second-ever World Cup appearance.
“It’s a disappointment for everybody but, as soon as that decision was made, we move on,” he said. “You don’t harp on about it and you don’t say ‘What if this?’ or ‘What if that?
“You move on and you control what you can control. So we’ve moved on very quickly from that and we’re looking forward to the next two weeks.”
MORE NAMES TO COME
McClaren, however, confirmed he is expecting an influx of more talents for the programme, as he confirmed several names who are in the process of acquiring their Jamaican passports.
Among the pending arrivals are Brentford defender Rico Henry, Southampton striker Cameron Archer, defender Max Aarons, and Stoke City midfielder Lewis Baker.
“We have Rico Henry who has had a bad injury for a full year and he has just come back. He’s finding his feet, finding his way, and acquiring documents and a passport, which he needs to do,” McClaren explained.
“Cameron Archer, who we hope next week will come to Jamaica to finalise his documents and citizenship to get a passport, and may be ready for the October window. Max Aarons, which will be similar, and Lewis Baker, whose documents have been very complicated.”
The final round of qualifiers will see the teams compete in a round robin format, playing home and away, with the winners of the group qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The next best two second-place teams will advance to the intercontinental play-offs for another chance at qualification.
Jamaica will open Group B action against Bermuda on September 5 in an away fixture before playing hosts to Caribbean rivals Trinidad and Tobago at the National Stadium on September 9.