The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), while hoping the senior Reggae Boyz find success on the pitch, is currently grappling with funding the World Cup qualifying campaign.

President Michael Ricketts says the federation needs much greater support as it is struggling to meet the $480-million budget for the upcoming qualifying campaign.

The national senior men’s team is to kick off the final round of Concacaf World Cup Qualifying this week, starting with Bermuda on Friday, before hosting Trinidad and Tobago four days later. Jamaica will hope for maximum points in both encounters as only the winner of the group, which also comprises Curacao, will automatically advance to next summer’s FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

However, getting to the world’s biggest showpiece will not come cheap. In fact, the JFF will have to fork out $30 million for a charter flight to Bermuda as the team prepares to depart on Wednesday. They will also have similar arrangements in October and November when they head to Curacao and Trinidad and Tobago, respectively.

Ricketts told the Jamaica Observer that the financial situation has left him feeling uneasy.

RICKETTS… we are disappointed that we have not gotten as much financial support as we would have liked

“We are disappointed that we have not gotten as much financial support as we would have liked. I mean, I would like to be relaxed now, knowing that we have enough funds but I have to be worried because we have a travel agency to pay close to $30 million for the charter coming up and we still have not raised that 30 million,” he said.

“We’ll charter to go to the three away games, that is going to run us close to $100 million, so it’s a lot. It’s a lot of expenses, a lot of expenditure and not too much coming in.”

Ricketts believes one of their Caribbean rivals are in a better position this campaign because they are in a relatively more relaxed financial position.

“When I had discussions with the Trinidad FA, their budget is US$9 million ($1.4 billion) and I understand that the Government has significantly contributed already to their campaign. I mean, we’re making the best of what we have,” he said.

“Our budget is US$3 million [$480 million] and of course, it is a challenge. And these are things that people don’t seem to understand. We have to keep up with 14 teams on either side of the gender. So, we are constantly and always in need of financial support.

The Reggae Boyz haven’t qualified for a World Cup since their historic appearance in 1998. Given what qualifying would mean this time around, Ricketts is disappointed the Government and private sector haven’t done more to support the team.

From left: Winger Renaldo Cephas, goalkeeper Shaquan Davis and Richard King depart the field at Sabina Park following training on Monday November 11, 2024 ahead of the Reggae Boyz Concacaf Nations League A quarter-final clash with the USA. (JFF)

“We must now understand the impact that qualifying for a World Cup tournament – the level of impact that that is going to have on every single boy and girl in this country,” he said.

“Obviously, a number of companies are not aware of how important this venture is. And those of us who were around in 1997 when we played that last qualifying game, we remember the level of excitement and hope, enthusiasm that that game would have brought to every single person who were at the National Stadium and those who were not at the stadium.”

Ricketts, however, is confident the team can get the job done regardless of the federation’s challenges.

“We just have to ensure that we prepare and we execute and of course, the operative word is execute,” he said.

“We have to ensure that on the field of play, we ensure that we get maximum points [and] I think we are on track for some good results. But like I said, we are struggling with meeting our financial obligations. Other than that, I think the mood is good, the vibe is good and we are hoping for good results.”

The players and technical staff, led by Head Coach Steve McClaren, are set to arrive in St George’s on Wednesday ahead of Friday’s clash at the Bermuda National Sports Centre.

The Reggae Boyz are expected to return to Jamaica on Saturday for Tuesday’s game against Trinidad and Tobago at the National Stadium.

The Reggae Boyz go through their paces in training at the National Stadium ahead of their Concacaf World Cup qualifying game against Guatemala on June 9, 2025. Photo: Naphtali Junior

Jamaica Football Federation headquarters in New Kingston Photo: Naphtali Junior

RICKETTS… we are constantly and always in need of financial support (Photo: Observer file)