U-17 Reggae Boyz to Face Reno FC in World Cup Warm-Up

Jamaica’s National Under-17 football coach Wendell Downswell will be among three individuals honoured by Reno Football Club on Sunday, when the former Premier League champions host the young Reggae Boyz in a friendly encounter in Westmoreland.

The club will also recognise Wesley Vassell and Clive Wedderburn for their longstanding contributions to football in western Jamaica. Reno General Secretary Romaine Meggo credited both men with helping to develop and sustain the sport across the region.

Downswell welcomed the recognition, expressing appreciation for being celebrated during his lifetime by a parish that played an important role in his personal development and football career.

The match, scheduled for 3:00 pm at the Llandilo Sports Complex in Savanna-la-Mar, will serve as a preparatory exercise for both teams ahead of separate competitions.

For Reno, the encounter represents an opportunity to begin preparations for the 2026/27 Jamaica Football Federation Championships. The Westmoreland club is seeking to return to the Jamaica Premier League after narrowly failing to secure promotion last season.

Meggo said the club intends to use the occasion to reconnect with supporters while building towards another promotion campaign. Admission is $700, with entertainment and other activities planned as part of the event.

Meanwhile, Downswell will assess players competing for places in Jamaica’s final 21-member squad for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Qatar.

The coach explained that the fixture will provide an opportunity to evaluate individual performances, tactical organisation and the squad’s execution of strategies developed during training.

Particular attention will be given to defensive and attacking responsibilities, set-piece situations and individual contests as the coaching staff continues its selection process.

Jamaica have been placed in Group E alongside Italy, Ivory Coast and Uzbekistan. Their opening World Cup fixture is against Italy on November 20, with the tournament scheduled to run from November 19 to December 13.

Downswell has previously guided three Jamaican youth teams to World Cup qualification, including two Under-17 squads and one Under-20 team. He also played an influential role during Reno’s successful years, when the club captured multiple national Premier League titles.

The coach said the decision to stage the friendly in Westmoreland was partly intended to give rural football supporters an opportunity to watch the national youth team, which is largely based in Kingston.

According to Downswell, discussions with Everton Tomlinson helped secure permission for the visit. He also pointed out that the journey would expose the young footballers to parts of Jamaica they might not ordinarily experience during their preparations.

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