After witnessing the Reggae Boyz move closer to qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Head Coach Steve McClaren says he’s finally assembled an established squad that he can confidently work with going forward.

The national senior men’s team go into the November international window in control of their World Cup fate, now leading Group B in the final round of Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers following their 4-0 win over Bermuda and Curacao’s 1-1 draw with Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday.

The Boyz were able to recover from their 2-0 away defeat to Curacao on Friday with a dominant display against the Bermudans at the National Stadium. Bobby Reid, Shamar Nicholson, and Dujuan Richards all got on the scoresheet.

Though impressed by the performance of his attacking players, McClaren says the return of midfielders Isaac Hayden and Kasey Palmer, who missed the last game due to suspension, made a major difference.

“Isaac gives us that steadiness in the middle of the field and Kasey, although he’s not playing for his club, we had no hesitation in flying him over for the second game,” he said. “I think his performance, it reminded me of the first game against Cuba. He was man of the match then and his performance (on Tuesday), not just on the ball, but the work rate off the ball.

“We had good balance in the team and good structure, which is always important. Good discipline all the way through and control the game through possession but in the final third, that’s how we want to play in that final third, which was at times excellent.”

Since his appointment in July 2024, McClaren has had to make several adjustments to his squad for the various international windows. In fact, this month’s squad featured 11 different players compared to the squad selected exactly a year ago.

However, McClaren says he’s satisfied with this cohort after witnessing its performances in the four qualifiers.

“What’s happening to the squad now from a year ago is that we had players up there [in quality] and then the squad members down there [with less quality] — now the squad’s come together,” he said.

“It’s the trust that you have to put in the players to start, to come on, to impact and if you watch us train, the competition is very fierce. I think in a year, the squad has accelerated, we’ve brought new players in so we’re delighted that the squad is strong and we will need that for the next two games.”

McClaren, however, hasn’t ruled out adding more reinforcements ahead of the pivotal games next month.

“I’m still watching players but making sure that the squad that we’ve got the likes of Demarai [Gray] and Leon Bailey, that they start playing for their clubs and get fit,” he said. “It’s becoming a headache, not just picking the team but picking the squad now because there is quality from the goalkeeping position all the way.”

Jamaica leads the group on nine points, with Curacao in second on eight, Trinidad third on five, and Bermuda bottom with zero.

Only the group winners are guaranteed a spot at the World Cup next summer and the Boyz can seal it when they travel to Trinidad on November 13 before hosting Curacao on November 18.

Though they remain in control, McClaren isn’t getting carried away.

“Two games to go and I said it would go to the last two games,” he said. “Generally, it goes to the last so we’ve got two very intriguing games but there’s still a long way to go, a lot to do.

“We just hope the players stay healthy, can play minutes for their clubs, get fitter and maybe we can get players back that will improve us even more.”

The overseas contingent of the Reggae Boyz team and technical staff departed the island on Wednesday and are expected to return to Kingston on November 10.

Reggae Boyz midfielder Isaac Hayden (left) attempts to hold off Bermuda’s Harry Twite (right) during their final round Concacaf World Cup Qualifying match against Bermuda at the National Stadium on Tuesday. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

Reggae Boyz Head Coach Steve McClaren was all smiles during their final-round Concacaf World Cup Qualifying match against Bermuda at the National Stadium on Tuesday.