Wendell Downswell, technical director of Jamaica’s Under-17 football team, says he is satisfied after young Reggae Boyz were drawn in Group E for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Qatar in November.

The Jamaicans are set to face Italy, Ivory Coast and Uzbekistan, and Downswell believes they can advance from the group stage.

Downswell, who led Jamaica’s last Under-17 team into World Cup battle in 2011, is ready once again with more experience than ever.

“This is a unique opportunity for the youngsters to really show their talent on the international stage,” he said after the draw for the 48-team tournament was held in Zurich, Switzerland, on Thursday.

“This is an excellent platform for them to begin at the international level. And also for the staff itself and by extension Jamaica competing in another one of the [U-17] World Cups, which is of significant importance to us as it relates to the zone itself,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

“I’m fairly satisfied with the zone that we have. I think we have a grand chance of leaving this zone,” said Downswell.

“The preparation will be of utmost importance — the fact that now we have gotten the drawings as it relates to the group that we are in. We have done some work already in terms of preparation and planning. It’s just for us now to fine tune the preparation itself, looking at the logistics as it relates to preparation going in,” he added.

In 2011 in Mexico, Jamaica lost 0-1 to Japan, 1-2 to Argentina and ended 1-1 against France.

That squad was captained by Omar Holness and featured Zhelano Barnes who scored agaunst Argentina, Andre Lewis who scored against France. Also included were Alvas Powell, Jason Wright and Romario Williams.

Downswell is hoping the programme attracts corporate support as preparation is expected to swing into high gear.

“Fom a local perspective and overseas [we need financial support], based on the talent that will be at our disposal, to ensure that we have the best possible set of players representing the country and doing that in a grand way, so to speak.”

He noted that player recruitment will be important.

“So, overall, what we will do is look at the whole selection process, both from a local and overseas perspective and then, as I’ve said, select the best possible players. This is a grand opportunity for the youngsters and staff,” he pointed out.