With the Jamaica’s young Reggae Boyz just one step away from securing qualification for the FIFA U-17 men’s World Cup, Dennis Chung, general secretary of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), is expressing full confidence they will get the job done against El Salvador in their final Group H clash on Saturday.

The Under-17 Boyz, who thrashed the Cayman Islands 10-1 in their last encounter, lead the group with maximum six points from two matches. El Salvador, who have an inferior goal difference, also have six points. The Jamaicans have scored 13 goals while conceding two, and El Salvador, who are yet to concede a goal, have scored 10 times in their two outings.

If the Jamaicans avoid defeat against El Salvador, it would mark the third time that the country’s Under-17 team has qualified for a FIFA World Cup.

“I am very confident that they will qualify. I have seen them play, and I think these guys are above the level of the group they are in. They are better than El Salvador,” Chung stated.

He also credited the hard work and dedication of those who laid the foundation for the team’s success.

“Much credit must be given to the work done by [team ambassador] Omar McFarlane and [Head Coach] Altimont “Freddie” Butler because they were the ones who really started this programme and stuck with it. I am very excited because they are going to the World Cup,” he said.

Chung also highlighted the development of a strong youth pipeline, pointing to the success of the U-14 and U-17 teams as a sign of promising talents which could matriculate into the Under-20s and senior national team.

“This would be the only Jamaican team to have qualified for three World Cups. It shows that we have a good pipeline because many of the players are locally based. We did well in the Under-14s, and now the Under-17s are excelling. This sets the stage for the U-20s and, eventually, the senior team,” Chung noted.

Beyond the significance for the squad, Chung believes that qualification would be a major boost for local football, the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), and the country as a whole.

“I am very happy with it, and I think it will be a big plus for local football, for the JFF, and also for the country. We are all looking forward to it. We have some very good quality players. They are also some big guys, bigger than their opponents, which helps them a lot in terms of strength. They are playing well and with confidence, and it is a joy to watch them represent the country.”

With excitement building and the young Reggae Boyz just a draw away from history, all eyes will be on them as they take on El Salvador in the crucial do-or-die encounter in Guatemala on Saturday.

The 2025 Under-17 World Cup is scheduled for Qatar in November.

— Robert Bailey