U20 Boyz to kick-start World Cup Qualifying campaign against Aruba

The U20 Reggae Boyz will begin their quest for a spot in the 2027 FIFA Men’s U20 World Cup when they kick-start Group B action against Aruba today in the Concacaf Men’s U20 Qualifiers.

Jamaica will open their campaign against Aruba at the Stadion Rignaal ‘Jean’ Francisca in Willemstad, Curaçao, at 7 p.m. Jamaica time.

It will mark the first time the two teams will meet at the U20 level, as Aruba are making their debut in the age-group competition.

Jamaica, as the top-seeded team in the group, are expected to open their campaign with a win over the Dutch Caribbean island.

Their next fixture will see them facing the Turks and Caicos Islands on Wednesday, before taking on the Cayman Islands on Friday.

Jamaica will continue their group-stage fixtures with a match against St Kitts and Nevis on Sunday, March 1, before closing out the group against Puerto Rico on Tuesday, March 3.

The top team from the group will advance to the Concacaf Men’s U20 Championship, where they will join the six pre-seeded teams in the region.

The Concacaf U20 Championship will serve as the qualification tournament for the FIFA Men’s U20 World Cup.

Jamaica have only previously qualified for the U20 World Cup once in their history, back in 2001.

The U20 Championship will also serve as the qualification tournament for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, as well as the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games, and 2027 Pan American Games.

FAMILIAR NAMES

Several familiar names will lead the lines for the young Boyz as they open their tournament today.

Schoolboy standouts Sean Leighton, Giovanni Taylor, Jabarie Howell and Orel Miller are some of the names selected for the tournament.

U17 Reggae Boyz captain and Concacaf Best U17 player, Jahmarie Nolan, has also been given the nod as he looks to secure a second consecutive age-group World Cup berth.

Jamaica College’s Duwayne Burgher, who was also a member of the U17 team that qualified for the World Cup, has also been selected.

The squad also sees Inter Miami rising defender Cai McLean as well as Dutch-born Marlon van de Wetering given a call-up.

Van de Wetering is expected to be one of the leaders in the defensive line as the 18-year-old has already made 13 appearances for FC Eindhoven in Netherlands’ Eerste Divise.

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com