Reggae Boyz Will Tackle Trio Of FIFA World Cup-Bound Nations
Jamaica set to face Ghana, Morocco and Qatar in next month’s four-country mini tournament in Austria
The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) has announced that the Reggae Boyz will play three matches at the Austria Mini Football Tournament in August.
Jamaica are due to tackle a trio of teams who will be competing in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in the shape of Ghana, Morocco and hosts Qatar.
The Boyz will compete on 20, 23 and 26 August at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion, renamed in honour of Austrian footballer Ernst Happel following his death in 1992. It is the largest stadium in Austria with a capacity of 50,865.
Ghana, who boast a FIFA-ranking of world no.60, recently announced that half-a-dozen players of Ghanaian heritage who ply their trade in Europe have made themselves available to join the Black Stars for the World Cup finals. This includes English-based defenders Tariq Lamptey (Brighton & Hove Albion) and Mohammed Salisu (Southampton). Ghana missed out on reaching the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia.
Morocco (ranked no.22), who became the first-ever African nation to reach the knockout stages of the World Cup finals in 1986, are the second-highest team in the region behind Senegal, and the Atlas Lions look like formidable opposition for Jamaica.
Qatar (ranked no.49) are currently in a training camp in Austria ahead of a handful of friendly matches against European clubs, and then will participate in the Austria Mini Football Tournament.
The Jamaica delegation will arrive on 17 August and depart on 27 August, with the objective to hone their squad. The other three nations will use the competition as part of their preparations for the prestigious World Cup finals in November and December.
The release from the JFF read: “The Jamaica Football Federation is delighted to be part of these games, and in doing so will present a tremendous opportunity for our ever-growing talent pool of international players.
“This will showcase them to a worldwide audience, including Africa, the Middle East and Europe.
“The JFF remains focused on the development of home-grown players and our ambition and desire is to improve on and off the field.”
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