Exceptional talent is always a big help in any endeavour.

For that reason, news that English-born football star Mr Mason Greenwood is just a signature away from representing Jamaica is a boost to efforts to qualify the Reggae Boyz for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Word came earlier this week that Mr Greenwood, who is eligible to represent Jamaica by virtue of maternal ancestry, has received his Jamaican citizenship and passport, ending a lengthy paperwork process.

Under normal circumstances Mr Greenwood, 23, who scored 21 goals for French club Marseille last season, would possibly be an automatic choice for England.

But after representing that country in a single game in 2020 Mr Greenwood fell out of favour following allegations of attempted rape and assault.

He was arrested in January 2022 by British authorities and subsequently charged. However, the case was later dropped because of what the prosecution said was the withdrawal of key witnesses and “new” information which had emerged.

The former rising star for Manchester United has since thrived in France and is widely considered among the more exciting attacking players in Europe. Hence persistent efforts by the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) and Head Coach Mr Steve McClaren to have him represent Jamaica.

The move is apparently still not cut and dried. Our reporter tells us that Mr Greenwood needs to receive an international transfer certificate clearance from the English Football Association (FA).

Further, we are told that the transfer will require the player to sign a document confirming that his switch of allegiance from England to Jamaica is final. That would effectively exclude him from future England squads.

If the process is suitably completed Mr Greenwood would likely be part of the Reggae Boyz squad for the final round of Concacaf World Cup qualifiers in September.

We can’t argue with JFF President Mr Michael Ricketts, who has justified the wooing of Mr Greenwood on the basis that “the big picture is to go to the World Cup and I’m sure he can influence the programme and the process going forward”.

We are inclined to suspect that the presence of stars such as Mr Greenwood has the potential to not only enhance the quality of team play but also opportunities to attract vitally important sponsorship.

Mr Ricketts tells us that the qualification campaign will cost roughly US$3 million (approximately $480 million).

Hence his gratitude to the latest business house to partner with the Reggae Boyz programme, Sunshine Snacks Jamaica.

“Their support not only energises our campaign but puts us in a stronger position to prepare meaningfully for the road ahead,” said Mr Ricketts of Sunshine Snacks’ sponsorship.

The “road ahead” will involve battling Bermuda, Trinidad and Tobago, and Curacao in six home-and-away games starting in September. The top team in the group will qualify automatically for the FIFA World Cup to be staged in the United States, Mexico, and Canada next year.

With or without Mr Greenwood, the Reggae Boyz will need all the help they can get to reach their first senior men’s FIFA World Cup tournament since their only such achievement in 1998. All Jamaica should rally around them.