ALTHOUGH questions persist about some notable omissions from the latest Reggae Boyz squad, Interim Head Coach Rudolph Speid believes he’s selected a group of fully committed players who can seriously challenge Mexico in their Concacaf Nations League quarter-finals.

The national senior men’s team will face the top ranked Mexicans over two legs for a place in the semi-finals beginning with the first leg at the National Stadium in Kingston on November 14, before travelling to Nuevo Leon for the return leg at Estadio BBVA on November 17.

Speid named his 23-man squad last Friday ahead of the matches, retaining 16 players from the squad that contested the Nations League group stage in September and October.

He believes it was important to keep the core of the squad together as they seek to build consistency on the pitch.

“The good thing this time is we have a little more time, we have at least four days. That is why we try to keep the squad together so we can continue what we were doing before. It’s a relief for us, the amount of time that we have and the same players coming back so we can improve on their preparations,” he said.

“I would prefer to have more coming back but it is what it is. Some players have injuries, but this is really a good start. I think this is probably the most players we have ever had coming from one assignment to the other with that type of continuity, so it’s all positive.”

SPEID… I think this is probably the most players we have ever had coming from one assignment to the other with that type of continuity

Midfielders Kasey Palmer and Isaac Hayden, who were part of the previous squad, were left out despite being active for their respective English clubs over the weekend. The pair, who have 42 caps between them, started in the home games against Guatemala and Honduras in September but returned home to the UK for the away games against El Salvador and Honduras in October.

When asked about their absence this time around, Speid said, “if you notice, when we went down to Central America, the team performed well and there were elements of cohesiveness.”

“I just wanted to keep the majority of that team together because I just thought that they played well together and their commitment was top grade. That’s how a national team builds; you keep the team together and build on the good points.”

Honduras player Alenis Vargas (left) challenges Jamaica’s Tyreece Campbell during the Concacaf Nations League fooball match at the National Stadium on September 28, 2026. (Photos: Garfield Robinson)

Experienced centre back Ethan Pinnock, who has started the last eight games for English Premier League club Coventry City, was also left out.

The 33-year-old missed all four games last month after making himself unavailable for selection.

Pinnock’s place in the national team setup appears less certain, with Speid turning to other options, including Austrian-based defender Miguel Freckleton, who made his debut during the last international window.

“Everybody thought that Freckleton was outstanding, right? They play the same position, but there’s a big age difference. So as I said before, every time you pick somebody, you have to drop out somebody. I thought that Freckleton is the guy now to play the left-centre-half and that’s the one we’re sticking with.”

Speid also revealed a number of players missed out through injury including Pinnock’s Coventry teammate Ephron Mason-Clark and Kaheem Parris who has been impressing in the UEFA Champions League for Azerbaijan’s Sabah FK. Teenagers Jamone Lyle and Jahmarie Nolan, who made their debuts during the last window, are unavailable as they prepare for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup.

Speid says he’s more than satisfied with the players available due to their commitment to the team.

“These players that we have selected, they want to play for their country. They will give 100 per cent. You call them, they say yes, they come, they give 100 per cent and they go back home,” he said. “They’re not putting in conditions and asking where their friends are, etc. These are committed players and that’s all I can ask for.”

Majority of the squad are expected to be in camp today before the team’s first training session, set for Tuesday. There could also be late changes to the squad with some players reportedly dealing with injuries following club duty over the weekend.