In nine weeks, the Reggae Boyz will make their final push to qualify for this summer’s FIFA World Cup. Captain Andre Blake is still optimistic but says choosing the right personnel will be crucial to achieving their goal.

The national senior men’s team, who failed to automatically qualify for the tournament, will take on New Caledonia of Oceania on March 26 in the semi-finals of the inter-confederation play-offs. Victory would see them battle Africa’s DR Congo in the final where the winner would book their spot at the World Cup, joining Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan in Group K.

“We still have a chance,” Blake told American journalist Jon Arnold. “Obviously, it’s not going to be easy, but we kind of put ourselves in this position, and we’re going to have to go out there and fight for our lives to get to where we want to be.”

Jamaica find themselves at this stage after finishing runners-up to Curacao in Group B of Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers last year.

The Boyz, who needed a win in their final game to earn automatic qualification, drew 0-0 with World Cup bound Curacao in November at the National Stadium, which also led to the immediate departure of Head Coach Steve McClaren. It’s a moment that Blake still hasn’t forgotten.

“It was a devastating moment for me in Kingston,” he said. “I feel like the entire country was at the game. The atmosphere was there, the energy was there. The only thing missing from that game was us scoring a goal or two to win the game.”

Following McClaren’s resignation, the Jamaica Football Federation appointed Rudolph Speid as interim head coach and Miguel Coley as interim assistant.

Earlier this month, Speid revealed further additions to the technical staff, including Arsenal youth coach Michael Donaldson as assistant coach and former national goalkeeper Aaron Lawrence as goalkeeper coach.

Speid also named a 52-man provisional squad, which includes goalkeeper Blake, for the play-offs. However, most won’t be at his disposal prior to March as there are no FIFA international windows which means European and American clubs aren’t obligated to release them. A mostly local based team beat hosts Grenada 1-0 in a friendly on Sunday at the Kirani James Athletics Stadium in St George’s.

Although preparation time is limited, Blake is confident they can qualify but admits player selection and tactics are vital.

“We have the pieces for sure, we just haven’t been able to bring it together. For me, the most important thing is we don’t need the best players, we need the right players,” he said.

“As soon as we’re able to create that system of who we want to be and you find players to really fit the system, I think we’re going to be really successful once we can get those things right.”

The Reggae Boyz sole appearance at a World Cup came in 1998 in France. Blake, 35, has 92 caps, is hoping the nation can return to the pinnacle of the sport.

“It would be a dream come true for me,” he said. “It would bring so much joy to the people of Jamaica, so much inspiration for the younger generation that’s coming up.

“We have a fantastic opportunity to make everybody so proud, so happy. It’s every footballer’s dream to represent their country and to play in the World Cup. We have an opportunity to make that dream a reality.”

Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz go through their paces at the National Stadium on Monday, November 17, 2025. (Photo: Joseph Wellington)

BLAKE…obviously, it’s not going to be easy, but we kind of put ourselves in this position, and we’re going to have to go out there and fight for our lives to get to where we want to be (Photo: Karl Mclarty)

Rudolph Speid will lead the Reggae Boyz at the inter-confederation playoffs in March. (Photo: Joseph Wellington)