Much has changed since June when word came that Jamaica’s men’s football team, the Reggae Boyz, had been drawn alongside Bermuda, Curacao, and Trinidad and Tobago for the final phase of World Cup qualifiers in September.

The popular feeling then was that the Jamaicans were very well set for their first FIFA World Cup Finals since the Rene Simoes-guided squad in 1998.

Many readers readily recall the optimism of much of the football fraternity, including Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) President Mr Michael Ricketts.

“…I don’t think you could have gotten it any better…” said Mr Ricketts in June.

That vibe took on wings because the Reggae Boyz brushed aside Guatemala 3-0 at the National Stadium in Jamaica in the final game of the penultimate round of Concacaf qualifiers for the FIFA 2026 World Cup being hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

It meant the Jamaicans travelled to the United States days later for the Concacaf Gold Cup, riding high and confident of challenging for the title. Instead, in their very first game they were outclassed and beaten 0-1 by a Guatemala team with several different faces from those seen in the World Cup qualifier.

The Reggae Boyz did manage an unconvincing 2-1 win over Guadeloupe in their second Gold Cup outing. But a 1-4 humbling by Panama in their next game meant they were ousted in the first round of Concacaf’s flagship tournament for the first time in a long time.

For those of us watching on television, there seemed to be a worrying inadequacy of team chemistry and tactical acumen among the Reggae Boyz at the Gold Cup.

By contrast, Curacao, whispered about — even before the Gold Cup — as likely to be Jamaica’s biggest threat in the September qualifiers, looked the part.

All of which, we suspect, has motivated the announcement over recent days of the appointment of Mr Rudolph Speid — who has done outstanding work with back-to-back Jamaica Premier League champions Cavalier FC over recent years — as technical adviser to Reggae Boyz Head Coach Mr Steve McClaren.

We are told that Mr Speid “will provide detailed opponent analysis… as well as technical insight to support the preparation and strategy of the coaching staff…”

Since Mr Speid is chairman of the JFF’s Technical Committee, and remains in charge at Cavalier, there are questions regarding possible conflict of i
nterest. Indeed, Mr Speid would have been central in the appointment of Englishman Mr McClaren, as Jamaica’s head coach.

It seems to us that the concerns about possible conflict of interest can’t be dismissed out of hand. However, an upside is the announcement by the JFF that Mr McClaren has welcomed Mr Speid’s appointment with open
arms.

Mr McClaren is quoted as saying that from his “very first interaction with Rudolph, I recognised the depth of his footballing intellect and regional expertise. His accomplishments in Jamaica and across the Caribbean speak for themselves. As we prepare to face Caribbean opposition in the next qualification window, I am certain that his perspective will be a valuable asset to the coaching team”.

In such circumstances, this newspaper is prepared to give the JFF the benefit of the doubt. Ultimately, everything will depend on success or failure of the World Cup qualifying campaign.

When all is said and done, the proof of the pudding will be in the eating.