CONCACAF Gold Cup 2023: Everything you need to know about Jamaica

Jamaica′s CONCACAF Gold Cup 2023 fixtures:

You can read all about United States, Mexico, Canada & Qatar by clicking on their names here.

Jamaica’s major tournament record:

World Cup

Best World Cup result: Group stages- 1998.

CONCACAF Gold Cup

Best Gold Cup result: Finalists- 2015 & 2019.

Copa América

Best Copa América result: Group stages- 2015 & 2016.

Jamaica at Gold Cup 2023: can the Reggae Boyz go all the way?

Jamaica are, without doubt, one of the most interesting national teams in the world right now, as the JFF continues to recruit dual-nationals, attempting to raise this team’s celling.

More on who could feature, and whether or not they’ll actually be good, shortly.

Jamaica reached back-to-back finals in 2015 and 2017, beaten 3-1 by Mexico and 2-1 by the U.S. respectively.

Since then, they’ve gone out in the 2019 semi-finals and the quarters two years ago, ousted by USA both times.

In fact, the last time Jamaica’s Gold Cup campaign came to an end at the hands of team outside CONCACAF’s big two is 2009.

Earlier this year, Heimir Hallgrímsson’s team held Mexico to a 2-2 draw at the Azteca in the Nations League, with Bobby Decordova-Reid scoring an absolute stunner that night, an encouraging result.

During the most-recent World Cup qualification cycle, despite ultimately finishing sixth, the Reggae Boyz did record some decent results, most-notably drawing 1-1 with USA in Kingston.

The JFF’s primary aim is to get Jamaica back to the World Cup, their sole appearance coming at France ‘98, and tournament expansion makes this a very realistic aim for 2026.

At this tournament, they’ll begin their campaign in Chicago against the United States on Saturday night, before taking on Trinidad and Tobago in St. Louis and then Saint Kitts & Nevis in San Francisco.

The opening game is obviously very tough, but Hallgrímsson’s men should win their other two games comfortably and ease into the knockout rounds.

Jamaica team news

(Alamy Stock Photo)

The summer is all about making new signings, and Jamaica have one of their own, set to make his senior international debut at Solider Field on Saturday.

The image above probably gave this away, but it’s Everton’s Demarai Gray, who’s one-time switch from England was approved by FIFA earlier this month, just in time for the Gold Cup.

Having scored 25 Premier League goals, winning the title with Leicester in 2016, Gray is a fantastic addition for the JFF, adding to the array of attacking talent in their squad.

He could form a frightening front four, alongside Bobby Decordova-Reid (Fulham), Leon Bailey (Aston Villa) and Michail Antonio (West Ham) that rivals anything anybody else has in this region.

At the other end of the field, Heimir Hallgrímsson can all upon, possibly, the best goalkeeper at this tournament, namely Andre Blake.

Now 32, the Philadelphia Union shot-stopper has been the best in MLS for years now, and would love to add a first major international trophy to his collection.

Sadly Ravel Morrison, who’s been in the wilderness at D.C. United under Wayne Rooney this season, hasn’t been called up, nor has Chelsea’s Omari Hutchinson, who made his Jamaica debut in March.

Jamaica′s key players: Ethan Pinnock

(Alamy Stock Photo)

Another one of the English-born contingent in this squad is Ethan Pinnock, who’s won just six caps since his debut two years ago.

Pinnock featured in five of Jamaica’s World Cup qualifiers, but this’ll be his first taste of the Gold Cup, having not been included in the squad in 2021.

Across the last two seasons, the centre-back has been a stall-wart as Brentford have taken the Premier League by storm, appearing in 62 of their 76 games.

He scored a last-minute winner on the final day against champions Manchester City, but is best known for his defensive attributes.

If Jamaica are going to go far at this Gold Cup, Pinnock will most-likely be a key figure.

Jamaica′s key players: Bobby Decordova-Reid

Gol de Jamaica

🇲🇽 0-1 🇯🇲
🔴 EN VIVO
📺 Canal 5#UnaNuevaEra | #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/9HpKrzlC8l

— TUDN MEX (@TUDNMEX) March 27, 2023

Bobby Decordova-Reid has only scored three time for Jamaica so far, but they tend to be spectacular.

At the most-recent Gold Cup, his stunning volley against Suriname in Orlando was voted of the tournament, before an equally exist strike against Mexico at the Azteca earlier this year, that you can see above.

This season, the 30 year old winger was an integral part of the Fulham team that finished tenth in the Premier League, featuring in 36 games, scoring four goals.

Jamaica′s key players: Michail Antonio

MICHAIL ANTONIO. THERE WAS NO STOPPING THAT. 😳

His second goal in three appearances for Jamaica 🇯🇲 pic.twitter.com/r6uK1XUCkZ

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) November 16, 2021

Leading the line for Jamaica, possibly with Gray, Decordova-Reid and Leon Bailey in behind, is the best centre-forward CONCACAF has to offer.

Michail Antonio never won a senior cap for England so, in 2021, he switched allegiance to Jamaica.

In this time, the West Ham striker has made just seven international appearance, but has scored three goals, including this rocket against the U.S. during World Cup qualifying.

His sole appearance for Jamaica in the last 16 months came against Argentina last September, but Antonio is in the squad for this tournament, which is a massive game-changer for this team.

Across the last four campaigns, he’s scored 47 goals for West Ham, helping them win the UEFA Europa Conference League last month, staying injury-free, despite clocking up 2,820 minutes this season.

As he’s shown in brief flashes for the Reggae Boyz, Antonio has the ability to dominate this region, so will he shine this summer?

Jamaica′s possible starting line-up for CONCACAF Gold Cup 2023

Jamaica′s full squad for CONCACAF Gold Cup 2023

Goalkeepers

Defenders

Midfielders

Forwards

CONCACAF Gold Cup 2023 Group A table