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Boyd confident Reggae Boyz will qualify for World Cup
November 13, 2025
Iconic Jamaican forward and member of the Reggae Boyz's historic 1998 World Cup qualification campaign, Walter 'Blacka Pearl' Boyd, is confident the nation will secure its spot at the global football showpiece for a second time.
Jamaica's Reggae Boyz play away to Trinidad and Tobago at Hasely Crawford Stadium in Trinidad today at 7 p.m. (Jamaica time), before hosting Curacao on Tuesday, November 18 in their final qualifying game.
Jamaica lead the group on nine points, followed by Curacao on eight and Trinidad and Tobago on five. Bermuda are still without a point.
Many local football fans are still questioning the team's capabilities to see out the qualifiers with top group honours, which would ensure their place at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
SELECTION ISSUES
However, Boyd believes the team is stacked with quality players, and the only issue coach Steve McClaren and his technical staff will have is selecting the right team to get the job done.
"Regarding the national team advancing to the World Cup next year in the US, I don't have any doubts right now. I think we have a beautiful squad. It's just to get the right team on the pitch. So I am fully behind the Reggae Boyz right now," he told STAR Sports recently.
A locally-bred talent, Boyd was the top goalscorer in qualifying for the historic France '98' campaign.
Another local-bred star, Theodore 'Tappa' Whitmore, scored two goals at the Finals tournament in France to eventually finish with five goals as well.
Boyd, who starred for Excelsior High in the Manning Cup, represented a number of local teams including Galaxy United FC, Arnett Gardens FC, Harbour View FC and Constant Spring, along with US team Colorado Foxes and UK club Swansea FC.
JAMAICA-BORN PLAYERS
He praised the significant contributions of the local-born players to the team's effort.
"I just want to say big up to 'Whisper' (Dujuan Richards). Good game the last match (against Bermuda), and (Kaheim) Dixon. To all of the guys, congrats. I'm a hundred percent behind everyone," he continued.
He added also that the spirit in the camp seems very high and the team is playing well. And he sees no reason why they should not secure an automatic spot to the World Cup.
"I am almost sure we will be in the World Cup. Right now I love football in Jamaica. I like where it is right now. I am confident we are going to be at the World Cup. So I want to say, I'm fully behind the Reggae Boyz."
