GENERAL secretary of Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Dennis Chung says that it could cost over $500 million to finance the Reggae Boyz’ 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifying campaign.

Chung told the Jamaica Observer that the federation will be diligently working to meet all their financial obligations over the next two years, through partnerships with corporate entities and individuals who are willing to assist during the campaign.

“We don’t have a final figure yet but each game will cost us approximately $30 million. Over the two years we could be looking at close to 500 million dollars,” said Chung, a highly regarded financial analyst in Jamaica.

He said partnering with promotional and marketing company 876stream is one step toward wooing prospective investors.

“The 876stream team has come on board and we are putting a committee in place for the World Cup campaign. We are also going to implement a proper marketing plan moving forward, so a lot of initiatives will soon be unveiled to reinvigorate enthusiasm.

“We want people to support us because the truth is that when football thrives, there is a positive social impact in the country. There is no other sport out there that benefits more youngsters than football, and with Jamaica being the number one team in the Caribbean and in the top five in Concacaf it’s imperative for us as Jamaicans to support the Reggae Boyz,” Chung stated.

The Reggae Boyz, who last qualified for the World Cup at the France 1998 edition, are poised to start their 2026 campaign against the Dominican Republic in Group E on June 6 at the National Stadium.

The Jamaicans will then travel to the Dominican Republic for their second game on June 9, to conclude the initial two rounds of match days in the second round. The other teams in Group E are the British Virgin Islands and Guatemala.

Chung explained that the estimated figure includes covering player salaries, accommodation, airfare, food, and other expenses incurred by the JFF during the campaign.

He said Jamaican football products are among those more sought after globally. However, he stressed that for the JFF to sustain its worldwide appeal the teams have to do well on the field.

“When you talk about the JFF brand, the Reggae Boyz and Reggae Girlz brand, it is one of the biggest brands that Jamaica has — and I don’t think there are many other brands bigger than the Reggae Boyz and Reggae Girlz.

“Jamaicans need to support it because it does have a lot of positive economic impact on the country and individuals as a social mobility tool,” he said.

Chung emphasised that despite several challenges faced by the JFF in recent times there has been plenty to cheer about on the field.

“I have always said that over the past two to three years have been the most successful times in the JFF history,” he noted. “The women have gone to the Fifa World Cup two times and we have had the men reaching the Gold Cup semi-finals, and they also reached the Nations League semi-finals last year, finishing third — which is a first.

“The youth teams have performed admirably in Concacaf semi-finals, so it has been a very successful run for us in the last two to three years, despite many challenges,” he concluded.