As Jamaica’s senior Reggae Girlz gear up for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers, Head Coach Hubert Busby says the reintegration of star striker and Captain Khadija “Bunny” Shaw into the squad will be seamless, thanks to the team’s playing philosophy.

The Jamaicans open their qualifying journey on Saturday against Dominica at the Daren Sammy Cricket Stadium in St Lucia, followed by fixtures against Nicaragua, Antigua and Barbuda, and Guyana in March and April 2026. The team is aiming to secure a third-consecutive World Cup appearance after doing so in 2019 and 2023.

Busby said the team has been shaping its style around Shaw, so her return should click instantly.

“I think what’s important though is that the way we play — it’s about the profile of the players that played within that position. Obviously ‘Bunny’ is one of one. But the way we want to play was kind of with a little of her in mind in terms of our philosophy and what we want to do and what was expected from that position, in that number 9 position,” Busby said during a virtual press conference on Monday to announce the squad for Saturday’s game.

“A couple of training sessions will be enough to integrate her back. She’s a top-class professional, so we don’t foresee any issues with her reintegration after being away for a while,” he further added.

Manchester City striker Shaw, who has been absent from the Jamaica set-up due to injury, club commitments, and load management, is accompanied in the squad by fellow attackers Natasha Thomas, Jody Brown, Ricshya Walker, Shania Hayles, Kalyssa Van Zanten, and Shaneil Buckley. Shaw, 29, last played for Jamaica in friendlies against South Africa in late 2024.

Busby expressed confidence ahead of the upcoming match against Dominica.

In this September 2018 file photo, Jamaica’s Khadija Shaw (centre) gets away from Arin King (right) of Trinidad and Tobago during the Concacaf Caribbean Women’s Qualifier inside the National Stadium. Looking on is Jonelle Cato. (Photo: Observer file)

“I believe we are prepared and eager to get going. We had a really good camp about a month ago in Trinidad and it was a very testing time with what was going on. The players, the staff, and the support around the team were all very well; we had a very good camp and I thought they did very well. Overall, we’re looking forward to this match coming up, and as the players are now in St Lucia, we’re looking forward to the game on Saturday,” Busby stated.

He explained how the squad was selected with some key players missing.

“It was just based on form. One of the things that every week and even coming out of the last camp was seeing how players were doing in their environment, the minutes they were playing, and being in form was a big part. Obviously we lost a few players — some notables like Allyson Swaby, Kayla McKenna, and Vyan Sampson, who had bereavement and so that’s why they are not in this group,” explained Busby.

“But looking back at last year, we feel we’ve done a really good job integrating a lot of young players. Sometimes things hadn’t gone their way, but the players we’ve integrated – some from our own youth teams – have stepped up. They now have experience and have been guided by senior heads in the group. We’re looking forward to the game on Saturday,” he further explained.

The group winner will punch a ticket to the 2026 Concacaf Women’s Championship (venue to be confirmed), a single-elimination tournament featuring quarter-finals, play-ins, semi-finals, a third-place match, and the final. From there, the top four teams will qualify directly for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, while two others will advance to the inter-confederation play-offs.

Squad:

Goalkeepers – Sydney Schneider and Rebecca Spencer

Defenders – Konya Plummer, Naya Cardonza, Tianna Harris, Chantelle Swaby, Mia Mitchell, and Jaileah McPherson

Midfielders – Tiffany Cameron, Atlanta Primus, Olufolasade Adamolekun, Israela Grove, Drew Spence, and Daneisha Blackwood

Forwards – Natasha Thomas, Jody Brown, Ricshya Walker, Shania Hayles, Kalyssa Van Zanten, Shaneil Buckley, and Khadjia Shaw

Colombia’s Daniela Arias (left) challenges Jamaica’s Khadija Shaw during the Women’s World Cup Round of 16 football match at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in Australia on August 8, 2023. Photo: AFP

BUSBY… the way we want to play was kind of with a little of her in mind in terms of our philosophy