Although many are expecting the Reggae Boyz to get off to a dominant start to Concacaf World Cup Qualifying, Head Coach Heimir Hallgrimsson says he’s expecting a tough challenge from the Dominican Republic (Dom Rep) today, starting at 3:30 pm.

Jamaica begins their quest to qualify for the 2026 showpiece in the United States, Canada and Mexico this afternoon in their first group stage match of second-round qualifying.

Dom Rep are currently ranked 150th in the world and have never qualified for a major tournament including the World Cup and Concacaf Gold Cup. They also have a losing record against top ranked teams in the region, but Hallgrimsson says he has no intentions of taking them lightly.

“I feel like everybody think it’s going to be an easy game for us but I promise you, it’s not going to be. It’s going to be an equal game, it’s a tactically improving team, they have different kind of tactics defending and attacking and are well drilled,” he said.

“It’s a mix of really promising young players, they qualified for the Olympics, knocked out Jamaica but they have good senior players who are good on the ball, good passing team. They’ve recruited some really good players playing at a high level in Spain and England; so they also have quality players, [so] I’m expecting a tough match.”

Hallgrimsson has been hit by injuries as well as the notable unavailability of Aston Villa star Leon Bailey.

Shamar Nicholson and Michail Antonio are expected to lead the front line and despite their inconsistent club seasons in France and England, respectively, Hallgrimsson believes they’ll come good today.

“My feeling, maybe I’m biased, but I felt both of them have played very well for Jamaica whether they are playing good or not for their club team, especially Shamar who has played fantastic games for Jamaica even though he’s not playing for his club. We’re really happy we saw Antonio come in at the last quarter of the season, coming in strong, playing or closer to 90 minutes. I think everyone saw that he was progression and getting sharper in every game,” he said.

“I’m happy to have them both here, it’s a good option for us upfront. Both powerful guys, so I’m not afraid even though they didn’t played [much] for the teams because they’ve always performed when playing for Jamaica.”

Joel Latibeaudiere is among those injured and has been a consistent started in Jamaica’s midfield. But with the addition of teenage star Adrian Reid in the mix, Hallgrimsson says this is a chance for them to make their mark.

“I think for the younger players, like Adrian, it’s an opportunity for him to measure himself to the others and an opportunity to step up to show what they can do and try to increase the depth in that position,” he said.

“Jamaica doesn’t have many players playing at a high level in midfield, it’s a little bit worrying that we have an abundance of wingers and strikers but we don’t have many midfielders but I look at it as an opportunity for the younger guys.”

With ambitions to qualify for 2026, centre back Di’Shon Bernard says it’s important to get off on a winning note.

“Everyone has had good individual seasons so now we come together and make a mark for the country. Everyone is excited and raring to go for the game so we’ll be ready, whoever starts or on the bench, we’re raring to go and help the team however they can,” he said. “I try to go into games with the same level head, as long as I have the best performance that I can and everyone else has that same mentality then collective no one can really beat us so as long as I have that mindset, I’ll be fine.”

Squad:

Goalkeepers

Shaquan Davis

Jayden Hibbert

Coniah Boyce-Clarke

Jahmali Waite

Defenders

Dexter Lembikisa

Di’Shon Bernard

Greg Leigh

Damion Lowe

Michael Hector

Richard King

Tayvon Gray

Gadail Irving

Midfielders

Kasey Palmer

Karoy Anderson

Bobby Reid

Daniel Johnson

Alex Marshall

Adrian Reid Jr

Kevon Lambert

Forwards

Shamar Nicholson

Renaldo Cephas

Michail Antonio

Deshane Beckford

Kaheim Dixon

Fabian Reid

Devonte Campbell