WITH the Reggae Boyz’s FIFA World Cup Qualifying campaign set to begin in just under three weeks, Captain Andre Blake is urging the public to fill the National Stadium as they aim to qualify for the 2026 showpiece which will be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The Reggae Boyz will start their campaign against the Dominican Republic in Group E in Kingston on June 6. They then travel to Dominica to play their second game on June 9. The other teams in Group E are Guatemala and the British Virgin Islands, who secured their spots by winning a two-legged play-off against the US Virgin Islands.

The Reggae Boyz’s only appearance at the FIFA World Cup came in 1998 in France. Blake says the squad is motivated and confident they can qualify for the 2026 tournament with the love and support of the fans.

“I am looking forward to it; football fever is in the air and it starts now,” he said. “I think we are ready for it, and we are going to go out there and get it rolling from the get-go.

“I want everybody to come in their numbers, come out and be loud. We are looking to deliver at all times. Having the fans in the stands plays a vital role, and we want to get back to where the stadium is full so just come support the Reggae Boyz.”

The Dominican Republic is ranked 150th in the world and the Reggae Boyz, 55th. However, Blake says that despite their opponents’ ranking they are not going to take them lightly in these matches.

“If we want to do big things and reach far we can’t take anybody for granted because anybody can beat anybody. So, we have to approach the game in a professional manner, put our best foot forward and stick to our game plan — which is to try to get better every game,” he said.

“We have a pretty good team because I think that we have been spending time together so we are really starting to gel and the chemistry is working. There are exciting times ahead, and I am looking forward to it.”

Blake, 33, who plays for Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer (MLS), says that with hosts Mexico, the United States, and Canada all earning automatic qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, this serves as added motivation for the Reggae Boyz to play hard, especially with the tournament being staged in North America.

“What better way to be in the World Cup,” he said. “It is in the States and so close to Jamaica so we are looking forward to it.

“It is a perfect opportunity to have our families come and watch us in the World Cup. For the Jamaican fans, it will be close for them to come out and watch Jamaica play in the World Cup, so there is a lot of motivation and a lot of things on the line, and we are looking for it.”

Blake, a native of Clarendon, has 75 international caps since making his debut in 2014 against Barbados.

He said he has now fully recovered from a groin injury which had kept him out of action for his club since the start of the MLS season in February, and will return to action next week.

“I have been off to a rough start because I haven’t got a run yet,” Blake said. “I have had a few niggling injuries but it is a part of the game, and I am getting stronger. I know that any time I get going again, it will be at the next level.”