Dennis Chung, general secretary of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), is hopeful that the men’s national football team will secure one of the four qualifying spots at the 2024 Concacaf Men’s Under-20 Championship.

The tournament, to be held in Gunanajuato, Mexico, from July 19 to August 4,
offers qualification to the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile.

The competition’s 25 matches will be divided into two venues, Estadio Sergio Leon Chavez in Irapuato and Estadio Miguel Aleman Valdes in Celaya.

The young Reggae Boyz have been drawn into Group A alongside the United States, Costa Rica, and Cuba. They will play all their matches at Miguel Aleman Valdes Stadium.

The Jamaicans are to open their campaign against United States on Friday, July 19 at 9:06 pm, then play Costa Rico on Monday, July 22 at 6:06 pm, and closing out the group stages against Cuba on Thursday, July 25 at 6:06 pm.

“I spoke to the coach [Jerome Waite] on Friday and he is in good spirit and he thinks we have a good chance of doing well,” Chung told the Jamaica Observer.

“One of the things that have cost a little setback for us was that we wanted to bring all of them [players] here for a final training but the centre had a little damage because of the hurricane. But the coach thinks that we will able to pull a good team together.

“Most of the players are local and so will meet up with them and do something with them locally and then inject the foreigners when we reach up there. We hope they qualify,” Chung added.

Group B is consisted Honduras, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, and Canada, while Mexico, Panama, Guatemala, and Haiti will play out of Group C.

After single round-robin play, the top two finishers and the two best third places will qualify for the knockout stage.

The knockout stage will include eight teams, starting with the quarter-finals on July 30 and 31, then the semi-finals on August 2, and the final, where the new regional champion will be crowned, on Sunday, August 4.

The four semi-finalists will also guarantee their participation in the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

The Mexicans are the all-time leader with 13 championships. The United States are the defending champions and have won the past three editions.

Squad: Joshua Grant (Red Bulls), Alex James (Real Mona), Taywane Lynch (Mount Pleasant FC), Nashordo Gibbs (Real Mona), Javin Williams (Reno FC), Nyle Waugh (FC Dallas), Shadeko Wizzard (Arnette Gardens FC), Brian Burkett (Dunbeholden FC), Jloyd Smith (Cavalier SC), Christopher Ainsworth (Cavalier SC), Avery Grange (The Bourugh FC), Adrian Reid (Cavalier SC), Ashton Gordon (Atlanta United), Alexander Bicknell (Leixoes SC), Fabian Reynolds (Wolves FC), Dunsting Cohen (Vere United FC), Orane Watson (Capleton Maroon), Rashaun Small (Portmore United), Makai Welch (Leyton Orient), Nahshon Bolt (Arnette Gardens FC), and Romain Blake (Chicago Fire FC).

Staff: Jerome Waite (Head Coach), Rodolph Austin (Assistant Coach), Clive Wedderburn (Goal Keeper Coach), Tyrese Palmer (Kit Man), Karen Clarke-Lumsden (Manager), Dr O’shane Grant (Team Doctor), and Wendell Downswell (TD/Trainer).