‘These players in the squad are proven’

WITH SEVERAL fan favourites omitted from his 26-man squad, Reggae Boyz head coach Steve McClaren has defended his selections ahead of the final games in the Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers.

Jamaica will face Trinidad and Tobago and Curacao in their final two games of the qualifiers, with a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the line.

Ahead of the fixtures, McClaren revealed his squad over the weekend, which drew some criticism with the absence of several fan favourites.

However, McClaren defended his selection process and said he went with players he believes can bring the team to victory.

“Eighteen months ago, on the first day, the goal was qualification for the World Cup, and in that time we’ve used a lot of players. But we’ve also had a core of players who’ve been regular, been in every camp and every game with us,” he said.

“That’s why I picked the players that I picked. They’ve been in from day one. I trust them and they trust me. We all know what we want from each other.”

One of the fan favourites omitted from the squad is in-form striker Trivante Stewart.

Stewart, who last played for the Reggae Boyz in 2023, has scored five goals in his last three games for Israeli club Maccabi Haifa, and eight goals in 10 games this season, leading fans to call for his inclusion.

However, McClaren said with two crucial games on the horizon, his squad selection was based on calling players who have proven themselves on the international scene.

Stewart, in his four appearances for the Boyz, has yet to open his international account.

“These players in the squad are proven,” he said.

“They’ve been playing for Jamaica for many years, some of the experienced players, and they’ve been playing well, and I trust them,” McClaren continued.

“Trust is massive and huge. That’s why I picked these 26 players, because I’ve worked with them before.”

McClaren said with each squad selection, there will always be a number of players who the fans believe should have gotten a call-up.

With his squad limited to 26 players, and Jamaica’s depth in talent in particular positions, McClaren said he understands the disappointment when fan favourites are not selected.

He, however, said he will always choose players he is familiar with for the most crucial games.

“If I could, and the JFF allowed me to, I’d bring 30 players in because you’re absolutely right, every time I pick a squad, there are always five or six names that I get killed for that I’ve not included in the squad,” he said.

“If I could bring 30 players, I would bring 30 players, because they’re all of the quality to play for this team. But my choices are limited, and I go with what I know.”

In the case of Stewart’s exclusion, McClaren said the door is not closed on the striker, but with the upcoming games being crucial to Jamaica’s qualification ambitions, he has chosen to omit him.

In his stead, McClaren has given the nod to Shamar Nicholson, Bailey Cadamarteri, Rumarn Burrell and Warner Brown.

“Knowing players and working with players, I think is always an advantage,” he said.

“We brought in Cadamarteri when we didn’t have Rumarn. And when we didn’t have Shamar and we didn’t have Warner, Cadamarteri came in and he played against Bermuda, and scored against Trinidad.

“If you notice with all these strikers, one thing they’ve got is attitude,” he continued. “They work, they’ve got speed, and they can score; and that’s so important in the process.”

Jamaica will face Trinidad on November 13 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium before hosting Curacao at the National Stadium on November 18.

The Boyz lead Group B with nine points, ahead of Curacao, eight, Trinidad, five, and Bermuda without a point.

The group winners will qualify for the World Cup, with the top two second-placed teams in the round advancing to the intercontinental play-offs.

Jamaica are looking to qualify for only their second-ever World Cup, having made their debut in France 1998.

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com