Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) President Michael Ricketts has praised the U17 Reggae Boyz for their performances in the Concacaf U17 Championship, despite their agonizing 2-1 loss to El Salvador on Saturday night, which saw them narrowly miss out on a place at the FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar.

Needing only a draw to qualify, Jamaica put up a spirited fight but conceded a late goal in their final group-stage match, finishing second in Group H behind El Salvador. The young Reggae Boyz scored 14 goals over their three matches, registering victories over St. Lucia and the Cayman Islands before falling short against the Salvadorans.

Despite the disappointment, JFF President Michael Ricketts expressed pride and optimism about the team’s performances and their future in international football.

“I am proud of the U17s and their performances over the last five days,” Ricketts said. “They have shown promise, great ability, and have represented our island well. Let us not forget that the U17 World Cup will be held every year from now on, so we will get ourselves ready again for the next U17 cycle.”

He also pointed out that several players on this squad will still be eligible for the next U17 cycle, meaning that the experience gained in Guatemala will prove invaluable for their development.

“In addition to that, some of these players have another U17 cycle in them, so the experience garnered in Guatemala will bode well for the future,” he added.

The U17 Reggae Boyz are set to return to the island tonight (Sunday) at 10:24 PM at the Norman Manley International Airport, where they will be welcomed home after their hard-fought campaign.

While their journey to the 2025 FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar has come to an end, their performances have given Jamaica football fans reason to be hopeful for the future. With another cycle ahead and crucial experience under their belts, the next generation of Reggae Boyz will be looking to make their mark in the coming years.