KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s preparations for their FIFA World Cup playoff campaign have been disrupted by two injury setbacks, with winger Demarai Gray and midfielder Kevon Lambert both ruled out ahead of the Reggae Boyz’ opening match against New Caledonia.
Both players had been included in head coach Rudolph Speid’s 27-man squad for the playoff phase, which begins on March 26 in Guadalajara, Mexico. A victory in that match would move Jamaica into a second playoff against DR Congo on March 31, with a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at stake.
Gray sidelined again after club injury
The more immediate setback comes with the loss of Gray, one of Jamaica’s most experienced attacking options.
The 29-year-old, who has scored seven goals in 29 appearances for Jamaica, suffered the injury during Birmingham City’s 1-0 loss to Derby County on Saturday in the English Championship. His withdrawal continues a frustrating pattern, as it is now the third time in as many months that he has missed international duty because of injury, following absences during the September and October windows as Jamaica pursued the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying.
Jamaica have moved quickly to cover Gray’s absence by calling up Tivoli Gardens forward Nickalia Fuller, who has scored five goals in the Jamaica Premier League this season.
Lambert was also initially ruled out through injury without an immediate replacement being announced. By Tuesday, however, Racing United midfielder Nickyle Ellis had been added to the squad, completing Jamaica’s injury-driven reshuffle before departure.
Local league talent gets fresh opening
The changes have also created a wider opportunity for Jamaica Premier League talent to step into a major international setting.
Fuller and Ellis joined Kyle Ming and Dwight Merrick among the locally based players selected as Speid adjusted his group before the trip to Mexico. Their inclusion reflects the coach’s recent willingness to expand the pool and reward domestic form ahead of one of Jamaica’s most important fixtures of the year.
The Reggae Boyz departed for Guadalajara on Monday, with Thursday’s meeting against New Caledonia now looming as the first step in a high-stakes path to the World Cup. Win that match, and Jamaica will move one game from qualification with a playoff showdown against DR Congo.
For Jamaica, the objective remains unchanged. But with Gray and Lambert unavailable, the road to the World Cup will begin with a squad already forced to absorb two significant blows.
