Coach Busby demands winning statement in Reggae Girlz Group B opener

Head coach Hubert Busby Jr is calling for a sharp, disciplined performance when the Reggae Girlz open their 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying journey on Saturday against Dominica.

Determined to secure a third consecutive appearance on the sport’s biggest stage, the Jamaicans will travel to the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in Saint Lucia for their Group B opener, a fixture Busby believes must end in victory.

“We want to get off to a great start”

Addressing the media on Monday after confirming his squad, Busby underscored the significance of claiming all three points in their opening encounter.

“It’s important that we have a strong performance, and we’re laying the foundation for strong performances throughout this campaign,” he said. “We want to get off to a great start, have a great week of training leading into the match, and we’re approaching each and every match with the respect it deserves.”

The coach emphasized that preparation and professionalism would drive their approach.

“Our preparation this week will be thorough, to ensure that when we go out there, we’re firing on all cylinders and to the best of our abilities,” Busby added.

Chasing history

The Reggae Girlz are aiming to complete a historic hat-trick of World Cup qualifications, having featured at the 2019 and 2023 editions. Those appearances marked major milestones for the women’s program, elevating Jamaica’s profile in regional and global football.

Jamaica has been placed in Group B with Dominica, Guyana, Nicaragua, and Antigua and Barbuda. Only the group winner will advance to the Concacaf W Championships, the next major hurdle in the qualification pathway.

The W Championships will determine the region’s representatives for both the 2027 World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

What comes next

At that tournament, the top four finishers will earn automatic World Cup spots, while the top three will qualify for the Olympics. Two additional teams will move on to intercontinental play-offs, keeping alive their hopes of reaching the World Cup through one final route.