ENGLISH-born Reggae Boyz Joel Latibeaudiere and Karoy Anderson are looking to build on their experiences with the national team as Jamaica prepare to face Mexico in the Concacaf Nations League quarter-finals.

The duo are part of Jamaica’s 23-man squad for the two-legged tie, with the first game set for the National Stadium on Saturday before the return leg at Estadio BBVA next Tuesday.

Defender Latibeaudiere, who plays for English Premier League club Coventry City, is expected to earn his 35th and 36th caps in the two games, moving him closer to the top 50 players with the most appearances for Jamaica.

The 26-year-old made his international debut for Jamaica in 2023 after representing England at youth level, including being part of the Under-17 team that won the FIFA World Cup in 2017.

Although Jamaica have not yet qualified for a FIFA World Cup during his time with the team, Latibeaudiere says representing the country has been a rewarding experience.

“It’s been great from the moment I came in. We’ve had some great memories, we’ve had some ups and downs, and it’s been so good to live through that with the team,” he said. “On a personal level, just getting to represent my country and playing on the international stage, it’s always been a dream in my career and to achieve that, it feels really good.”

Anderson, who plays for English second-division club Charlton Athletic, has also become an established member of the national team since making his debut in 2023.

The 22-year-old has earned 23 caps and has played the full 90 minutes in four of Jamaica’s five competitive matches under interim Head Coach Rudolph Speid since March.

“This journey’s been beautiful; I’ve really enjoyed it. From that Grenada game [in 2023], it’s something that I’ve always looked to try and do in my career in terms of playing on the international stage,” Anderson said.

“It’s the biggest stage, it’s the biggest type of football you can play, and for Jamaica, it’s been something that I’ve been grateful to be able to do. But also, like playing at the National Stadium and having my family come and watch; my uncles, aunties and mum travel over to watch the game. It’s been really special, so I’m really proud of it.”

Both players were part of the Jamaica team that finished third in the Concacaf Nations League in 2024, a result they hope to build on by helping the Reggae Boyz return to the competition’s final four.

Jamaica failed to reach the 2025 finals after losing to the United States in the quarter-finals, making this week’s tie against Mexico another opportunity to advance.

Latibeaudiere says securing an advantage in the first leg at home will be important, recalling Jamaica’s quarter-final victory over Canada in 2024.

“It’s massive with the first game, especially being at home,” he said. “We’ve got to take advantage of that and get a good start. I still remember the quarter-finals against Canada; the feeling that we had after that was unreal, so let’s try and do that again.”

Anderson also wants Jamaica to make home advantage count before travelling to Mexico.

“I think it’s really important, especially us being at home, we’ve got the advantage,” he said. “But you always want to get off to a good start because that will kind of just carry you through to the next game. So we’re just looking to start well and hopefully get a win and then go into the next game with that confidence and that advantage of being ahead.”

Reggae Boyz midfielder Karoy Anderson prepares to kick the ball during a training session on Tuesday at Stadium East ahead of their Concacaf Nations League Quarter-final against Mexico. (Photo: JFF Media)