Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz will play two international friendlies against Nigeria and the United States in June as the team begins preparations for the 2023 World Cup qualifiers that are scheduled to begin in November 2021.
The Jamaican women will be hoping to qualify for a historic second consecutive World Cup.
Jamaica Football Federation President Michael Ricketts made the announcement during a virtual press conference this morning.
“I am pleased to announce that Jamaica’s Woman National Senior team will play two international friendlies in the United States as part of the US Soccer 2021 Women’s National Team Summer Series. On June 10, the Reggae Girlz will play Nigeria at 4:30 pm and on June 13, they will play World Champions and host, the United States at 9:15 pm,” Ricketts said.
Both games will be played at the BVVA Stadium in Houston, Texas.
Ricketts said that Portugal will also be involved in the series and like Jamaica will only play two matches while the USA and Nigeria will play three games.
The president said it is expected that of the other three teams, the USA and Nigeria are expected to provide stern tests for the Reggae Girlz, who have been inactive for more than a year because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“As we know, the US team is the best in the world and Nigeria, currently ranked 38th, is a historic powerhouse and the number-one team in Africa,” he said, adding that they have ensured that the players’ safety will be guaranteed.
“Our agreement ensures that the team will play in a highly-controlled environment under very safe Covid-19 protocols.”
In preparation for the four-team tournament, Ricketts said they are planning to have the players in a camp from June 4-8.
In addition, Ricketts said, the JFF intends to have more camps and international matches before the World Cup qualifiers begin in November.