The Jamaican nationwide soccer workforce, affectionately generally known as the “Reggae Boyz,” is ready to conclude the yr because the top-ranked workforce within the Caribbean Soccer Union (CFU), in line with the most recent FIFA World Rankings.
Jamaica at present holds the fifty fifth place within the international rankings, making them the sixth-highest ranked workforce within the Confederation of North, Central America, and Caribbean Affiliation Soccer (CONCACAF) area, and considered one of 4 CFU groups contained in the world’s prime 100.
The Reggae Boyz concluded the aggressive yr on a outstanding observe by staging a comeback for the ages, defeating host nation Canada 3-2 within the second leg of their League 1 / 4-final within the 2023-24 CONCACAF Nations League.
This historic victory marked Jamaica’s first-ever win on Canadian soil, leading to a 4-4 draw on mixture, with Jamaica securing development as a result of away objective tiebreaker. Because of this, the Reggae Boyz have earned a spot within the 2023-24 CONCACAF Nations League Finals scheduled for March. Moreover, they’ve certified for the distinguished CONMEBOL Copa America 2024.
Semi-finals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup
Earlier within the yr, the Jamaican workforce reached the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup held in america. Within the semi-final conflict, eventual champions Mexico demonstrated their class with a commanding 3-0 victory over Jamaica at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Among the many different CFU groups ranked throughout the FIFA prime 100, Haiti holds the 89th place (ninth in CONCACAF), Curaçao ranks ninetieth (tenth in CONCACAF), and Trinidad & Tobago is positioned at 96th (eleventh in CONCACAF). Antigua & Barbuda, ranked 142nd globally, stands because the fifth-highest-ranked CFU workforce and 14th within the CONCACAF area.
All year long, Haiti confronted challenges as they reached the group stage of the Gold Cup however struggled within the Nations League, failing to safe a victory of their 4 League A matches, leading to relegation.
Curaçao skilled a setback in the course of the Gold Cup’s first spherical, whereas their Nations League efficiency included only one win. In distinction, Trinidad & Tobago loved a resurgence, culminating in three victories in Group A of League A, incomes them a spot within the Nations League play-offs in opposition to Canada. The winner of this play-off will earn a coveted spot within the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024.
CFU’s prime 10 groups
Antigua & Barbuda’s participation within the Gold Cup’s first spherical was comparatively unremarkable, as Guyana asserted dominance in Group D of League B.
The CFU’s prime 10 groups, in line with FIFA rankings, additionally embody Suriname at 143rd (fifteenth in CONCACAF), St Kitts & Nevis at 147th (sixteenth in CONCACAF), Dominican Republic at 151st (seventeenth in CONCACAF), Guyana at 157th (18th in CONCACAF), and Puerto Rico at a hundred and sixtieth (nineteenth in CONCACAF).
St. Lucia, ranked 167th globally, occupies the eleventh place within the CFU and stands at twentieth within the CONCACAF area. Suriname secured a third-place end in Group B of League A within the Nations League however struggled to advance past the primary spherical within the Gold Cup.
St. Kitts & Nevis, initially robust within the yr, confronted a downturn within the Nations League, ensuing of their relegation to League C. The Dominican Republic secured the second spot in Group B of League B with three wins in six matches however narrowly missed promotion to League A because of late losses.
Guyana maintained a flawless report in League B of the Nations League with 5 consecutive wins, securing first place in Group D and promotion to the highest tier. Puerto Rico progressed to the second spherical of the Gold Cup and completed second in Group D of League B, profitable 4 of their six matches. St. Lucia, alternatively, made a first-round look on the Gold Cup and secured the second spot in Group A of League B, profitable three out of six matches.
