U17 Reggae Girlz kick off Qualifiers in mighty clash against Mexico - Battle on for World Cup spot in Concacaf W Qualifiers

by

March 17, 2026

Photo

Under-17 Reggae Girl Shaniel Buckley (right) is challenged by Ricquanna Richards during a mock session at the Jamaica Football Federation in July, 2023. Both are key members of Jamaica’s Under-17 team.

Today's clash against Mexico would mark a fine occasion for Jamaica's Under-17 Reggae Girlz to record their first win against the Central Americans.

Both teams will continue their quest to secure a spot in the 2026 FIFA Women's U17 World Cup, in the final round of Concacaf U17 Women's Qualifiers, with their match set to begin at 11 a.m. Jamaica time.

The Girlz are hunting their first-ever appearance at the U17 Women's World Cup

Final-round action is being contested in three groups, and only the winner of each is guaranteed World Cup qualification.

The best second-place team overall will also qualify.

This fixture is expected to be Jamaica's toughest of the group as Mexico are ranked one of the top four nations in the confederation and were seeded into the final round of qualifiers.

Jamaica, on the other hand, secured their spot in the final round after topping their first-round group with a record of three wins and one draw.

It will be the fifth meeting between the two teams at the U17 Qualifiers and Mexico hold a superior record of three wins and one draw against Jamaica.

Their last meeting came in 2016 where Mexico came out 1-0 victors.

Jamaica's second match will be against hosts Costa Rica on Thursday, March 19, before closing out the group against Panama on Sunday, March 22.

MIXED SQUAD

Jamaica's squad for the U17 qualifiers feature a mixture of local-based and overseas-based players.

Of the 20-player roster, 10 compete in the Jamaica Women's Premier League (JWPL), eight are based in the United Stated and two in Canada.

The JWPL fans will find familiar names in Frazsiers Whip's Ricquanna Richards, Shennel Walters, Jennifer Williams, Khyra Grant and Telesia Anderson. Richards and Walters scored a goal each in Jamaica's first-round campaign.

Florida United's Elizabeth Miller, Jamaica's leading goalscorer in the first round, is expected to play a key role.

Shiloh Gardener is a new addition to the squad and is expected to bolster Jamaica's defence.

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com