Reggae Boyz finish 2023 as CFU’s top-ranked team in FIFA World Rankings

The Jamaican national football team, affectionately known as the “Reggae Boyz,” is set to conclude the year as the top-ranked team in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU), according to the latest FIFA World Rankings.

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Jamaica currently holds the 55th position in the global rankings, making them the sixth-highest ranked team in the Confederation of North, Central America, and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) region, and one of four CFU teams inside the world’s top 100.

The Reggae Boyz concluded the competitive year on a remarkable note by staging a comeback for the ages, defeating host nation Canada 3-2 in the second leg of their League A quarter-final in the 2023-24 CONCACAF Nations League.

This historic victory marked Jamaica’s first-ever win on Canadian soil, resulting in a 4-4 draw on aggregate, with Jamaica securing advancement due to the away goal tiebreaker. As a result, the Reggae Boyz have earned a place in the 2023-24 CONCACAF Nations League Finals scheduled for March. Additionally, they have qualified for the prestigious CONMEBOL Copa America 2024.

Semi-finals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup

Earlier in the year, the Jamaican team reached the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup held in the United States. In the semi-final clash, eventual champions Mexico demonstrated their class with a commanding 3-0 victory over Jamaica at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Among the other CFU teams ranked within the FIFA top 100, Haiti holds the 89th position (ninth in CONCACAF), Curaçao ranks 90th (10th in CONCACAF), and Trinidad & Tobago is positioned at 96th (11th in CONCACAF). Antigua & Barbuda, ranked 142nd globally, stands as the fifth-highest-ranked CFU team and 14th in the CONCACAF region.

Throughout the year, Haiti faced challenges as they reached the group stage of the Gold Cup but struggled in the Nations League, failing to secure a victory in their four League A matches, resulting in relegation.

Curaçao experienced a setback during the Gold Cup’s first round, while their Nations League performance included just one win. In contrast, Trinidad & Tobago enjoyed a resurgence, culminating in three victories in Group A of League A, earning them a place in the Nations League play-offs against Canada. The winner of this play-off will earn a coveted spot in the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024.

CFU’s top 10 teams

Antigua & Barbuda’s participation in the Gold Cup’s first round was relatively unremarkable, as Guyana asserted dominance in Group D of League B.

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The CFU’s top 10 teams, according to FIFA rankings, also include Suriname at 143rd (15th in CONCACAF), St Kitts & Nevis at 147th (16th in CONCACAF), Dominican Republic at 151st (17th in CONCACAF), Guyana at 157th (18th in CONCACAF), and Puerto Rico at 160th (19th in CONCACAF).

St. Lucia, ranked 167th globally, occupies the 11th position in the CFU and stands at 20th in the CONCACAF region. Suriname secured a third-place finish in Group B of League A in the Nations League but struggled to advance beyond the first round in the Gold Cup.

St. Kitts & Nevis, initially strong in the year, faced a downturn in the Nations League, resulting in their relegation to League C. The Dominican Republic secured the second spot in Group B of League B with three wins in six matches but narrowly missed promotion to League A due to late losses.

Guyana maintained a flawless record in League B of the Nations League with five consecutive wins, securing first place in Group D and promotion to the top tier. Puerto Rico progressed to the second round of the Gold Cup and finished second in Group D of League B, winning four of their six matches. St. Lucia, on the other hand, made a first-round appearance at the Gold Cup and secured the second spot in Group A of League B, winning three out of six matches.