Reggae Boyz Head Coach Steve McClaren said there is no time for experimenting as he named what he considers a trusted and proven squad for the crucial World Cup qualifiers away to Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday and at home to Curacao on November 18.

McClaren, who was appointed Jamaica’s head coach in July 2024, was given the task of leading the Reggae Boyz to the World Cup, and that time is now.

“I trust them. They trust me. We all know what we want from each other,” McClaren said. “It’s very difficult to introduce new players now and new things and try different things. I don’t think now is the time to do that.

“Nearly 18 months on from the first day the goal was qualification for the World Cup, and in that time we’ve used a lot of players. But we’ve also had a core of players who’s been regular, have been in every camp and every game with us.

“Some have come in late but have been a part of us since the summer in World Cup qualifying games, and what I’ve tried to do is, I’ve picked 26 players and included in that are players who have played from day one. A few who have obviously come into the squad and performed well and stayed in the squad.

“But these players have shown their loyalty to Jamaica, to come into the camps, and their willingness to want to achieve the goal, which is World Cup qualification. So that’s why I’ve picked 26. That’s why I’ve picked the players that have played. They’ve been in from day one.”

There were no surprises in McClaren’s squad as the Englishmen said these last two games are all about attitude, fight, and the will to win.

“We have to have more will than anybody to win, and also with God’s will, which will happen,” McClaren said.

Jamaica leads the four-team Group B with nine points from four games, just one point ahead of Curacao, with Trinidad and Tobago sitting in third on five points. Bermuda are at the bottom without a point.

Jamaica have their destiny in their own hands, and two wins would be enough for a return to the FIFA World Cup after a 27-year wait, having historically qualified in 1997 for France 98.

McClaren wants a performance from the Reggae Boyz that would lift the spirits of a nation reeling from the devastation of Hurricane Melissa.

“I think we’ve got the added pressure of the people of Jamaica who are suffering at the present moment and the devastation and travesty that they must be going through,” he said.

“We need to be able to feel what the people are feeling as well. And if we can come together as one and get the feeling of the island, get the feeling of the people. Because they’re the most important.

“They will be so proud if we achieve this. So that’s the mindset we’ve had from day one. So it isn’t a case of coming to the last camp and ramping up the motivation or ramping up the pressure. The pressure is there. We have to handle that. And the crowd will help us.”

Squad

Goalkeepers

Andre Blake (captain), Jahmali Waite, Tafari Chambers

Defenders

Joel Latibeaudiere, Ethan Pinnock, Richard King, Dexter Lembikisa, Gregory Leigh, Damion Lowe, Rico Henry, Mason Holgate, Ian Fray

Midfielders

Isaac Hayden, Bobby Reid, Jonathan Russell, Karoy Anderson, Jahshaun Anglin

Forwards

Bailey-Tye Cadamarteri, Shamar Nicholson, Rumarn Burrell, Demarai Gray, Kaheim Dixon, Renaldo Cephas, Tyreece Campbell, Warner Brown, Dujuan Richards

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, October 14.

Reggae Boyz striker Bailey Cadarmarteri (left) gets by Trinidad & Tobago’s Andre Rampersad (second right) and Josiah Trimmingham in their Concacaf World Cup Qualifier at the National Stadium on Tuesday September 9. Jamaica won 2-0.  (Photo: Joseph Wellington)