ALTHOUGH the Reggae Boyz had a disappointing campaign in the 2024 Copa America, Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) President Michael Ricketts says the future of the country’s football programme will improve after securing commitments from top international associations.

Jamaica’s journey at the ongoing South American showpiece ended at the group stage after three straight losses to Mexico, Ecuador and Venezuela. The national senior men’s team also left the tournament without a head coach, following the resignation of Heimir Hallgrimsson.

However, Ricketts said it’s far from doom and gloom as, according to him, various football governing bodies and countries are willing to support the JFF, after talks during the competition.

“Jamaicans most times don’t appreciate what our achievements are but globally, we are highly appreciated and we have made some huge connections with teams all over the world — and we’re certainly building on those discussions. CONMEBOL [football governing body of South America], UEFA [football governing body of Europe] and, of course, our own neighbours in and around Concacaf, we’ve had discussions that could blossom into major relationships,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

The JFF boss said European football powerhouse Belgium is among the names that have stated an intent to contribute to various local programmes.

“We have established a modus operandi that we must have relationships with overseas entities. We, of course, are trying our best to ensure that these bigger countries help us to develop our programmes and grow the sport — and a number of them have already committed,” Ricketts said.

“Belgium, for example, is a country that we have had discussions with; they have very good programmes as it relates to the technical aspect and they have committed to giving us some support. In fact, when we spoke with them they were very excited about our women’s programme and thought that if they could form some coalition with us in relation to women’s football, they’d help us from a technical perspective.”

Despite going winless at the Copa America, Ricketts was heartened by the team’s performances and believes they are in a good position to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“The truth is that having qualified for Copa was itself an achievement. It’s the first time that we have actually played to qualify — other times we were invited teams — so that in of itself is something [of which] to be proud. The results were disappointing but the performances were not. All in all, I think the Copa would have been used for the preparation process going into the World Cup Qualifiers because the World Cup is really the big picture,” he said.

“Our intent is now to find a coach that will take us to the World Cup. We do have a pretty decent team, we have some good players, so it’s just to get the chemistry right and execute on the field.”

The Reggae Boyz are to return to action in the Concacaf Nations League when they take on Cuba at the National Stadium on September 6, before heading to Honduras for a match on September 10.

Their remaining, second-round World Cup qualifiers are to take place next June when they battle the British Virgin Islands and Guatemala. Jamaica are currently in a qualifying position for the final round after winning their opening two fixtures against Dominican Republic and Dominica last month.

Ecuador’s Piero Hincapie (left) and Jamaica’s Shamar Nicholson vie for the ball during the Copa America Group B football match at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, United States, on June 26, 2024. (Photo: AFP)

Jamaica’s Kaheim Dixon (left) challenges Ecuador’s Alan Minda during the CONMEBOL Copa America Group B football match at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, United States, on June 26, 2024. (Photo: AFP)

RICKETTS… Jamaicans most times don’t appreciate what our achievements are, but globally, we are highly appreciated and we have made some huge connections with teams all over the world