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JFF boss backs Girlz to seize Olympics opportunity
January 15, 2026
With Concacaf representation set to double from two to four teams at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, President of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Michael Ricketts is confident that the Reggae Girlz will achieve another historic feat and qualify for the Games.
Recently the International Olympic Committee (IOC) increased the number of women's football teams at the Olympics from 12 to 16 teams, with Concacaf getting one extra spot, up from two to three.
However, USA will get an automatic berth as hosts of the 2028 Games, which essentially gives the region two additional spots.
Ricketts sees it as a great opportunity to do what no Jamaica national football team has been able to do.
"The number has moved from 12 to 16 teams, which of course gives us a better opportunity to qualify.
"We have never qualified for an Olympic tournament, on neither side of the gender, male nor female.
"If we are able to do that then certainly it would be another historic exercise for our women's football team.
"So we are looking forward to this qualification campaign. We are going to turn up preparation and we are going to give it our best shot," he said.
In the last qualification campaign the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) threw its full support behind the team and they still fell short.
However, Ricketts added that just like the last time, no effort with be spared to get the Girlz over the line this time, and that everyone aligned with the team knows the mission.
"We have really struggled to get to the Olympics and we are intent this time and very optimistic the girls will make it.
"They have done well globally so we are expecting them to again to do well in terms of qualification for the Olympics.
"Coach (Hubert) Busby is intent on going to the Olympics and so are all of us. We will advocate for some support from Mr (Christopher) Samuda (JOA president) as he was very supportive in our last qualification efforts.
"We would absolutely love to be on that stage and we are looking forward to it," Ricketts added.
