From grassroots victories and historic team achievements to individual accolades and global recognition, 2024 was a year of triumphs and milestones for Jamaican football. Here are the top 10 highlights, in no particular order, that showcase the country’s progress and passion for the beautiful game.
Cavalier’s Caribbean Cup triumph
Cavalier FC made history by lifting the prestigious Caribbean Cup, a feat that cemented their place as one of the region's top clubs. Their 2-1 victory over Dominican Republic’s Cibao FC underscored the growing strength of Jamaican club football on the international stage, as they joined Harbour View, who won in 2004 and 2007, and Portmore United (2005 and 2019) as Jamaica Premier League outfits to achieve the feat.
Arnett Gardens’ CFU Club Shield win
Arnett Gardens FC brought pride to the nation with their 1-0 win over Antigua and Barbuda’s Grenades FC in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Shield. The triumph highlighted the depth of talent in the Jamaica Premier League and the ability of local clubs to excel regionally.
Jamaica’s U-14 victory at the CFU Challenge Series
The young Reggae Boyz made waves at the CFU U-14 Challenge Series, particularly in the final, where they scored an incredible seven goals in the latter stages of the contest in their 7-1 rout of French Guiana. This victory showcased the promising future of Jamaican football, as the squad comprised only local-based players and staff.
Michail Antonio’s historic Copa America goal
Michail Antonio again etched his name in Jamaican football history when he scored the country’s first-ever goal in the prestigious Copa America tournament. His goal, which came from close range in the 54th minute, brought global attention to Jamaica’s presence in South American football, though they lost that contest 1-3 to Ecuador.
Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw’s individual accolades
Khadija “Bunny” Shaw enjoyed what could be described as her finest Barclay’s Women’s Super League (WSL) season to date in the 2023/24 campaign, breaking individual, club, and league goal records.
The 27-year-old won the WSL Golden Boot with 21 goals in just 18 appearances and also became Manchester City’s record goalscorer when she netted against Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium in March 2024.
With an impressive turn of pace, remarkable aerial ability, and a clinical finish, Shaw was often the driving force behind City’s attack and was once again named in the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) WSL Team of the Year for 2023/24.
To add to that list, the towering striker, who had her 2023/24 season cut short due to a broken foot, also claimed individual awards in the form of the PFA Players’ Player of the Year and the Football Writers’ Association (FWA) Women’s Footballer of the Year.
Shaw continued to elevate Jamaican football on the global stage, as she was not only shortlisted for the women’s Ballon d’Or award for a second time but placed 15th in the final rankings, which again highlighted her status as one of the world’s elite players.
Reggae Boyz clinch Concacaf Nations League bronze
The Reggae Boyz secured a third-place finish in the 2023/2024 Concacaf Nations League courtesy of Dexter Lembikisa’s all-important strike in a 1-0 win over Panama. Not only was it their first medal in a major tournament since the 2017 Gold Cup, but they also became the first Caribbean team in history to finish on the podium in the Concacaf Nations League Finals. It was also Jamaica's fourth win against Panama in history and the first since the quarterfinals of the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup. This achievement, which came on the back of an impressive semi-final comeback away to Canada, marked a significant milestone in the team’s resurgence.
Local talent shines on the international stage
While they didn’t always feature when it came to game time, 14 Jamaica Premier League (JPL) players had much to celebrate as they made their senior Reggae Boyz debut in 2024, including standout Kaheim Dixon, who later signed with Charlton Athletic. Dixon, Shaquan Davis, and Richard King became integral to every Reggae Boyz camp this year. Other debutants were Emelio Rosseau, Stephen Young, Shamour Smith, Romeo Guthrie, Jason Wright, Jamone Shepherd, Joel Cunningham, Andre Fletcher, Garth Stewart, Justin Dunn, Devonte Campbell, and Adrian Reid Jr.
Tiffany Cameron’s Hall of Fame induction
Reggae Girl Tiffany Cameron received the prestigious honour of being inducted into the Hall of Fame at the University of Ohio. The versatile Canadian-born player’s achievement celebrated her exceptional contributions to football both at home and abroad.
Reggae Boyz start strong in World Cup qualifying
Jamaica’s senior Reggae Boyz began their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with back-to-back wins, earning six points from their first two games as they topped the Dominican Republic 1-0 and Dominica 3-2. Those results mean the Boyz are potentially eight matches away from booking a spot at the 2026 global football showpiece. They will next face British Virgin Islands and Guatemala when the group stages resume in June.
Jody Brown joins Portuguese giants Benfica
Reggae Girlz winger Jody Brown took a significant step in her professional career when she signed with Portuguese giants SL Benfica. Brown, 22, known for her speed, skill, and goal-scoring ability, joined the reigning Portuguese champions after a standout collegiate career at Florida State University and impressive performances for the Reggae Girlz on the international stage, including at two FIFA Women's World Cup tournaments. Brown's move to Benfica, the first by any player from Jamaica and the Caribbean, not only highlights her growing reputation but also underscores the rising prominence of Jamaican talent in global women's football.