Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz are set to begin their Concacaf W Qualifiers on Saturday against Dominica at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in St. Lucia, and head coach Hubert Busby Jr. says his squad has arrived in excellent condition and with the right mindset for the task ahead.
“First and foremost, it starts with the players arriving in a good condition and in a good way,” Busby explained. “We’re very happy in the timely manner that they were able to arrive into camp and we were able to hit the ground running from day one.”
He noted that both the mood and the professionalism displayed in training have impressed him, setting the tone for a disciplined and focused start to the campaign.
Veteran leadership drives standards
Busby credited several senior players for immediately establishing high standards within the group and helping younger teammates understand the magnitude of World Cup qualifying.
“The attitude from the group has been spot on. I credit a lot, obviously, to the players in leadership group who set the tone, and we’re able to carry on throughout the week from there,” he said.
He added that many of the newer players, having now been part of the setup for several months, are no longer learning the demands of international football, they are meeting and surpassing them.
“They’re coming into an environment where they now know what the standard is,” he said, acknowledging their growing confidence and commitment.
Favorite status comes with pressure
As the Caribbean’s top-ranked women’s team and a two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier, Jamaica enter the opening fixture as overwhelming favorites, an honor Busby knows also carries its burdens.
“The standard continues to get better within the region. They’re an emerging nation, but we’re a country and a programme that respects everyone,” he said of Dominica.
He warned that World Cup qualifiers demand focus, no matter the disparity on paper.
“They’ll be up for the match and we’re wearing the crown that a lot of people want to knock off within the Caribbean Football Union.”
Dominica ready to challenge the regional heavyweights
Despite the odds, Dominica head coach Ronnie Gustave insists his team is eager to confront the Caribbean powerhouse head-on.
“Football is played on the pitch and on the day, anything is possible,” Gustave declared.
He stressed that unity and discipline, not star power, will define Dominica’s performance.
“The most important thing is to stay as a team, stay focused and play for one another… It is not about ‘I’ but it is a collective effort from each and every body to play their role and play their role to the best of their abilities.”
Group stakes and the road ahead
Nicaragua currently lead Group B after a 4-0 victory over Antigua and Barbuda, making Jamaica’s opener even more critical in the race for the sole group spot in the Concacaf W Championship.
That tournament will determine the region’s qualifiers for both the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. The top four teams will advance to the World Cup, while the top three earn Olympic berths. The next two sides will move to intercontinental play-offs for another chance at World Cup qualification.
