KINGSTON, Jamaica — As the countdown to Friday’s CONCACAF W Championship qualifier ticks down, the head coach of Jamaica’s senior women’s national football team, the Reggae Girlz, Hubert Busby, has made clear that his side is laser-focused on securing a commanding performance against Antigua and Barbuda at the iconic National Stadium, with kickoff set for 7:00 pm local time.
Speaking to reporters at a pre-match media briefing held Thursday, Busby emphasized what a meaningful moment this is for the entire squad, marking their first return to compete on home turf after a lengthy stretch of matches and training away from Jamaica. “It’s an incredible feeling to be back together on Jamaican soil,” Busby told the assembled press. “Our players have waited far too long for this opportunity to play in front of our own fans. Competing at home means everything to us, so we’re not just here to get the win — we’re here to put on a performance our supporters can be proud of.”
As the fixture forms part of the qualification pathway for the 2026 FIFA Women’s World Cup through the CONCACAF confederation, Busby stressed that every single remaining group stage match carries non-negotiable stakes for his side. “At the end of the day, every point matters in World Cup qualifying. Everyone in this group understands exactly what’s on the line, and we know we have to get the job done tomorrow,” he said. Busby added that the team is sticking to its proven game plan of focusing on one match at a time: “We’re locked in on Antigua and Barbuda first, and once that’s over, we’ll shift our full attention to our next fixture against Guyana.”
While Antigua and Barbuda has already been officially eliminated from contention for a spot in the 2026 CONCACAF W Championship, Busby warned against underestimating the Caribbean side. With qualification pressure lifted entirely, he noted that Antigua and Barbuda will be able to play with unfiltered freedom, creating an unexpected challenge for the Reggae Girlz. “They’ve got nothing to lose right now, so they can go out and play without any of the stress we’re carrying. That makes them dangerous, and we’ve prepared specifically for that brand of play,” he explained.
Busby also touched on the growing depth of his squad, pointing out that a handful of injury absences in the lead-up to the match have created unexpected opportunities for up-and-coming players to prove themselves at the international level. “We’ve built a really deep roster of talented players across the board, so I have zero doubt that the players stepping into these gaps will rise to the occasion and deliver strong performances in this qualifying camp,” he said.
Looking ahead to the later stages of the qualification process, Busby emphasized that steady improvement and consistent focus are more important than chasing perfection in every early fixture. “This isn’t about being flawless from the first minute. We’re here to build momentum, get better with every match, and stay focused on the task in front of us right now,” he said.
Fans in attendance can expect the Reggae Girlz to come out swinging with an aggressive, high-energy attacking style, as the side looks to leverage its home-field advantage to pick up three points and carry positive momentum into their upcoming qualifier against Guyana. Busby closed his remarks with an open call for Jamaican football supporters to turn out in force: “I’m urging everyone who can make it to come out to the stadium. These women are an incredible asset to this country, and they deserve all the support we can give them. Come cheer us on tomorrow.”
The ongoing CONCACAF W Championship qualifiers will ultimately decide which confederation teams advance to compete in the 2026 CONCACAF W Championship tournament, scheduled to take place in November 2026.