Jamaica’s Under-17 Reggae Boyz have been invited to Mexico’s prestigious Torneo del Sol tournament hosted by the North American nation’s football federation.

This highly competitive tournament, scheduled for January 6-11, 2025, will feature 16 teams, including Mexico’s U-17 and clubs from Mexico’s Professional Third Division League. Trinidad & Tobago, Guatemala, and Panama will also add to the excitement.

The Torneo del Sol will not only expose the young Reggae Boyz to international competition but also offer an invaluable opportunity to sharpen their skills and measure their progress against elite teams as they finalize preparations for the Concacaf U-17 World Cup Qualifiers (WCQ), set to begin in February 2025 in Guatemala.

Having participated in several intense training camps, both in Jamaica and the United States over the past few months, the young Reggae Boyz seem poised to give a good account of themselves, especially after five international friendlies—four of which they won while the other ended in a stalemate.

Domestically, the Altimont ‘Freddie’ Butler-coached team has played seven matches, securing three wins and four losses.

Butler emphasized the importance of the tournament, which will be used to decide his final roster for their World Cup qualifying campaign.

“This tournament provides the perfect platform for us to compete against top-level national teams, which is crucial as we approach the final stretch of preparation for the World Cup Qualifiers in Guatemala. Playing at this level will allow us to assess our players in a high-pressure environment and make the necessary adjustments as we fine-tune our squad,” said Butler.

Meanwhile, Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) President Michael Ricketts welcomed the opportunity for the U-17 team.

“We are grateful to the Mexican Federation for this invitation. This is a testament to the respect Jamaica’s football commands on the international stage. Our young players will gain invaluable experience from this tournament, which is vital to their growth and readiness for the Concacaf WCQ,” Ricketts stated.