We are about to enter 2023 with football atop the agenda for most sports-minded Jamaicans.

This after the passing on Thursday of arguably the greatest footballer of all time, Mr Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known by all as Pelé.

Of course, there was also the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar which ended on December 18 with Argentina and their champion Mr Lionel Messi claiming the trophy, beating France on penalties in a final that ended 3-3 after full and extra time. That pulsating, high-quality final was a proper fit for a tournament which has gained acclaim as the most competitive and best ever.

Inevitably then, the football fraternity everywhere is already looking to the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be hosted for the first time by a partnership of three countries — Concacaf neighbours United States, Mexico, and Canada. A central consideration is the huge increase in national teams, from 32 in Qatar to 48.

By virtue of being hosts, USA, Mexico, and Canada look set to be automatic qualifiers for the World Cup with three others also automatically qualifying from Concacaf. There could even be additional spots for the Central American and Caribbean region after playoffs with other confederations, as worked to the benefit of Costa Rica in the 2022 edition.

Hence, Jamaica and a host of its regional neighbours, including Costa Rica, Honduras, El Salvador, Panama, Guatemala, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago — to name just some — are now eyeing the prospects with great anticipation.

If ever there was a ‘dog fight’ in Concacaf for FIFA World Cup spots, this surely will be it.

Against that backdrop we are encouraged by the comment from Jamaica Football Federation General Secretary Mr Dennis Chung that “Our World Cup campaign starts from now really, if you think about it….” And that Reggae Boyz Head Coach Mr Heimir Hallgrimsson and assistant Mr John Wahl are expected to hit the ground running when they arrive early in the New Year to prepare for the qualifying campaign.

Mr Chung tells us that Mr Hallgrimsson and his staff will have oversight responsibilities for all national teams and will be assessing talented players at the various age groups and club levels. That, we expect, will lead to greater seamlessness in the transition from school and club, to national representation.

We note word of more emphasis on scouting to identify talented players who sometimes get overlooked because they are not in top leagues locally. That’s an effort we can only applaud.

There is much to be gained from spreading the talent net as wide as possible.

Jamaica, like other countries, has increasingly relied on overseas-based professionals, many of whom were not born or nurtured here. That’s good. We believe that Jamaicans born elsewhere, who truly wish to represent the Black, Green and Gold should always be allowed the opportunity.

Equally, those nurtured on local soil in circumstances that are usually less advantageous than is the case in the developed North, should be given every chance to represent their country, once there is appropriate talent and unequivocal desire.

Talent is priceless, but so too will be the burning ambition to excel for country as the Reggae Boyz project goes forward in 2023.