Jamaica is poised to make history by potentially hosting matches during the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup, which will be jointly staged in the United States and Mexico. Michael Ricketts, President of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), confirmed the island’s bid during an interview with Observer Online, revealing that an official announcement will be made in New York on October 20. This development underscores Jamaica’s growing influence in international football, particularly in women’s sports. Ricketts highlighted the remarkable progress of the Reggae Girlz, Jamaica’s national senior women’s team, which rose from a 119th global ranking to the top 40 under his leadership. The team has qualified for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2019 and 2023, with their 2023 campaign marking a historic advancement to the Round of 16. The bid is supported by the Jamaican government and aligns with plans to renovate the National Stadium in Kingston by 2029. The upgrades will include enhanced facilities, increased seating capacity, and improved accessibility for all spectators. If successful, Jamaica would become the first Caribbean nation to host a senior World Cup match, further cementing its legacy in global football.
标签： Jamaica
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eNGee Dadon pushes social commentary
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Dancehall artist eNGee Dadon is making waves with his latest tracks, ‘Crocodile Masicka’ and ‘Is Masicka A Nanny?’, which blend social commentary with musical artistry. Formerly known as Pickney, the artist explained that these songs are inspired by observations within the dancehall industry. ‘Crocodile Masicka,’ released on August 9, critiques the current state of dancehall, using the metaphor of a crocodile to symbolize fear and pride concealed behind silence. The track has garnered thousands of streams and sparked discussions among fans and analysts alike. The second release, debuting in early October, employs satire and wordplay to question the ego-driven titles prevalent in the genre. eNGee Dadon emphasized that there is no animosity between him and Masicka, hoping listeners will appreciate the artistry and cultural relevance of his music. He also celebrated his second-place ranking on the Brando Music Review Show’s weekly chart for ‘Dancehall Jealousy,’ viewing it as a testament to the potential of independent artists. Currently, eNGee Dadon is working on multiple projects under New Generation Music Entertainment, including ‘Venus Inna Vans,’ ‘Christian Girl Gone,’ and ‘Thanks You.’
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Trump calls for jailing Democratic Chicago mayor, Illinois governor
In a dramatic escalation of his ongoing political confrontations, US President Donald Trump has publicly demanded the imprisonment of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. Trump’s incendiary remarks were made via his social media platform, where he accused the Democratic leaders of failing to protect Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. This latest outburst comes amid Trump’s broader campaign to enforce aggressive ICE raids in Democratic-led cities, including Chicago, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC.
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World economy not doing as badly as feared, says IMF chief
The global economy is demonstrating unexpected resilience despite facing prolonged uncertainties and subdued medium-term growth prospects, according to Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Speaking in Washington on Wednesday, Georgieva noted that while the global economy is performing ‘better than feared, it remains worse than necessary.’ The IMF now anticipates only a slight slowdown in global growth this year and next, buoyed by stronger-than-expected conditions in the United States and several advanced and emerging economies.
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JUTC confirms driver found unresponsive in ditch has died
ST CATHERINE, Jamaica — A tragic incident unfolded on Wednesday when a Jamaica Urban Transit Company Limited (JUTC) bus driver lost his life after his vehicle veered off the road and plunged into a ditch. The accident occurred in the Dunbeholden area of St Catherine, marking a somber day for the transportation company and the local community. According to initial reports, a police officer discovered the bus off the Salt Pond roadway, with the driver unresponsive. Immediate assistance was provided, and the driver was rushed to Spanish Town Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Authorities confirmed to Observer Online that the 39-year-old driver succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash. Notably, the bus was empty at the time of the accident, averting further casualties. The JUTC has extended heartfelt condolences to the driver’s family and announced plans to offer grief counseling to his colleagues during this difficult time.
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KSAMC pledges support to Trafalgar Park flood victims
In response to severe flooding in Trafalgar Park, St Andrew, caused by heavy rainfall in September, the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) has committed to assisting affected residents. During a recent visit to the area, Terry Forrester, the parish disaster coordinator at KSAMC, assured residents that the corporation, in collaboration with partner agencies, would provide essential comfort items to those impacted. Forrester emphasized the role of the welfare health committee in coordinating these efforts.
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Curacao football coach hails Reggae Boyz ahead of World Cup qualifier
WILLEMSTAD, Curacao — Gilbert Martina, president of the Curacao Football Federation, has expressed admiration for Jamaica’s football programme, highlighting its success and expressing hopes for Curacao to emulate its achievements. The two teams are set to face off in a pivotal Concacaf World Cup Qualifier on Friday at the Ergilio Hato Stadium in Curacao. Jamaica, currently ranked seventh in Concacaf and 69th globally, enters the match as the favorite against Curacao, which stands at 12th in Concacaf and 84th worldwide. Despite Jamaica’s absence from the World Cup since 1998, the Reggae Boyz have consistently been the Caribbean’s top performers, with multiple Concacaf Gold Cup final appearances and strong showings in the Concacaf Nations League. Martina emphasized his desire to incorporate Jamaica’s strengths—such as physicality, speed, and philosophy—into Curacao’s football development. He noted that while Curacao’s players are technically skilled due to their Dutch football education, they lack the physical attributes that define Jamaican football. Jamaica currently leads the group with six points, while Curacao trails by two points. A victory for Jamaica would bring them closer to World Cup qualification, whereas a win for Curacao would propel them to the top of the standings with three matches remaining. Only the group winner secures a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be hosted across the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
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INTO THE FRAY
Ian Fray, a defender for Inter Miami, is determined to assist Jamaica, the country of his heritage, in securing a spot in the upcoming FIFA World Cup. Born and raised in the United States, Fray is eligible to represent Jamaica through his Jamaican father. The 23-year-old has been included in the Reggae Boyz 26-man squad for the Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers, with matches against Curacao on Friday and Bermuda on Tuesday at the National Stadium. Although Fray was previously called up during the September international window, he did not join the team after discussions with Inter Miami. This time, however, he has traveled to Jamaica and participated in the team’s training session at Sabina Park. Fray, who is versatile enough to play as a center back, full back, or defensive midfielder, expressed his satisfaction with the acclimatization process. ‘It’s been really nice. There’s a lot of energy, the guys are really welcoming; it’s been really fun,’ he said. Fray comes from a family with a strong connection to Jamaican football; his father, Michael, played for the youth team, and his sister, Marlee, has represented the Reggae Girlz at the under-20 and under-17 levels. Ian is now focused on continuing this family legacy and helping Jamaica end its nearly three-decade absence from the World Cup. ‘Six points out of two games? You can’t ask for a better start than that,’ he remarked. Despite the talent in the Jamaican squad, Fray is unlikely to be star-struck, as he plays alongside some of the greatest footballers of all time at Inter Miami, including Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Luis Suarez. Fray is also looking forward to playing in front of the home fans next week, recalling the sold-out crowd at the National Stadium during Inter Miami’s match against Cavalier FC in the Concacaf Champions Cup. ‘To be able to represent my country here in Jamaica, I’m really excited for it,’ he said. Jamaica currently leads the group with six points after victories over Bermuda and Trinidad and Tobago last month. Two more wins would secure their place in the World Cup.
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At least 14 soldiers killed in South Sudan as ‘love triangle’ turns bloody
A tragic incident in South Sudan has left at least 14 soldiers dead and several others injured, raising concerns about the fragile peace in the region. The shootout, which occurred on Monday in a market near the oil-rich Abyei Box region, was reportedly triggered by a personal dispute involving a suspected “love triangle.” The clash involved members of the Unified VIP Protection Force, a unit composed of both government troops and opposition fighters.
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US Embassy warns against travelling while pregnant for birthright citizenship
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The US Embassy in Kingston has issued a stern warning to women considering traveling to the United States primarily to give birth and secure US citizenship for their children. This practice, commonly referred to as ‘birth tourism,’ has been explicitly labeled as impermissible under US visa regulations. The embassy emphasized its stance in an Instagram post on Wednesday, stating, ‘Using your visa to travel for the primary purpose of giving birth in the United States so that your child will have US citizenship is not permitted.’ The post further cautioned that consular officers are authorized to reject visa applications if they suspect such intentions. This advisory underscores the US government’s efforts to curb misuse of its immigration policies and ensure that visas are used for their intended purposes. The move aligns with broader measures to address concerns over immigration and citizenship practices.