SHANEIL Buckley’s eyes light up when she talks about her lifelong dream: representing Jamaica at the FIFA Women’s World Cup. With unwavering determination she believes that being selected for the squad to play in the 2027 World Cup Qualifiers, which kick off in October this year, could be the stepping stone to realising her ultimate goal.

Buckley’s journey with the senior team began in 2022 when she received her first call-up to train with the squad. Since then, she has consistently been called up for friendly matches, accumulating invaluable learning opportunities.

“It has been good for me since then as I have been consistently…called up for the friendly matches, and I believe that I have learnt a lot and the experiences have been invaluable. I believe that my game has improved a lot,” she says. “I just want to continue on the path that I am at the moment,” Buckley told the Jamaica Observer.

“My ultimate dream is to play in a World Cup for Jamaica — that’s my lifelong dream — and if I were to be called up to play in the qualifiers this year, that would be a lot to me,” Buckley declared.

“Not only do I want to continue to showcase my talent on the international stage but also, if I do well, it would put me in a good position to be selected for the World Cup if we are to qualify — which I believe we would. In the recent friendly matches I have been in the teams, and I hope to be in the team for the qualifiers as well,” added Buckley who turns 20 on May 20.

Despite missing out on the 2023 World Cup squad, Buckley is working twice as hard to make the Girlz squad if they make it to 2027 global showpiece.

“I had worked really hard to reach the 2023 World Cup squad but, unfortunately, I didn’t make the team. So, this time I am working twice as hard to make the 2027 World Cup team. First, to make the team to the qualifiers, and second, to be successful in the qualifiers and make it to the World Cup,” the former Excelsior High School standout said.

The Reggae Girlz have been invited to play the United States in a friendly on June 3, after China pulled out. Now playing against a top-ranked team would not only be exciting for Buckley but it would also provide a chance for her to learn from them and improve her game.

“If I should get picked in the squad for the United States, that could bring me closer to being selected for the qualifiers. I mean, playing against the number one team would be very exciting and at the same time I would be learning from them also, which would then build my brand. It’s about improving on my game — and I welcome every challenge to make me a better player,” she emphasised.

With her sights set on the top, Buckley is determined to reach the pinnacle of her profession.

“The sky is the limit, and I want to reach the top of my profession and see where it takes me. I am trying to be much better,” Buckley said.

A recent stint playing for Daytona State College in the United States proved to be a valuable experience for Buckley. In 22 games, for which she has started 21 times, Buckley has scored 20 goals with three of them being match winners.

“I went abroad last year to play for Daytona State College in [the] college league in the United States. We won everything. I scored 20 goals, which I thought was really good. When I first went I wasn’t playing that much because I was injured, and so I could have scored more goals. But I am grateful for the opportunity and the experience,” declared Buckley.

Looking ahead to the next season with Daytona, Buckley is eager to build on her success.

“I feel good,” she said. “Hope that [for] next season — which started about August or September thereabout this year — I hope to score more goals and win everything again.”

Jamaica’s Shaneil Buckley (right) gets to the ball ahead of Guatemala’s Jemery Myvett during a match in the Concacaf Women’s Under-20 Championship in the Dominican Republic on February 26, 2022. (Photo: Concacaf Media)

BUCKLEY… in the recent friendly matches I have been in the teams, and I hope to be in the team for the qualifiers as well

Shaneil Buckley (right) celebrates with teammates after scoring against Bermuda in the Concacaf Women’s Under-20 Championship at the National Stadium in Managua, Nicaragua, in April 2023. (Photo: Concacaf Media)