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Speid outlines Reggae Boyz selection criteria - Interim coach states policy to pick squads for intercontinental playoffs, Grenada friendly
January 08, 2026
In his first press conference as interim Reggae Boyz head coach, Rudolph Speid outlined a three-point selection policy that will guide how he selects players for the Intercontinental World Cup playoffs in Mexico, in March.
Speid, who took over the reins from Englishman Steve McClaren - who resigned after an unsuccessful qualification campaign that saw Jamaica missing automatic qualification, in November.
MAIN CRITERIA
However, the Boyz have a second bite at the cherry through the playoffs, and Speid wants the best players available. As a result, he outlined three main criteria.
"We have come up with a selection policy for our team," he told the gathering.
"Players who have a contract with a club in the top 20 leagues in the world," he stated..
"If you are not playing at a club in the top 20 league in the world, then you must be playing in the top league in the country that you are playing in.
"If you played for Jamaica before you will be considered (if does not qualify for criteria one or two)," he declared.
However, he added that this policy is only being used for the playoffs.
"This is the selection criteria for the engagement in March. It is not a development engagement.
"It is an engagement that we are only guaranteed one thing, so we all understand the importance of carrying the best team, people who are forging fire," he said.
CONDITIONS
However, those criteria will not assure any player a place in the final squad, as conditions do apply, said Speid.
"Of course there are conditions. Players must be fit, players must be playing regularly at their clubs, players must exhibit a high standard of performance, and other conditions will still apply," he continued.
In addition, Speid named his technical team, a provisional 24-man squad to begin preparation for his first international game, a friendly against Grenada on January 18, and a provisional 52-man squad, which will be increased to 60, for the playoffs in March.
"January 15, we have as a deadline to put together a 60-man squad for the World Cup playoffs. So far we have come up with 52 names and we are looking at the remaining eight. The 52 is still not concrete. It can change.
TRAINING CAMP
"This 24-man squad is not the final squad (for Grenada). We have sent invitations to the MLS players and if they accept, they will be coming in for next week's training camp, before we fly off on the 16th. "
He added that they are currently working on other friendlies before March.
"We are happy to get as much persons as we can from the 52-man squad to play in the Grenada match. We are working on other opportunities to get more friendlies, which we would like to have one in February.
"When this (February friendly) or other matches are confirmed we will make an announcement. We will commence a training camp today and it will go until Friday. We will also have another camp next week prior to the departure to Grenada," he stated.
