Jamaica: Five players to watch
Jamaica are preparing to face France, Panama and Brazil in a testing Group F.
Khadija Shaw will lead the line for the Reggae Girlz
Allyson Swaby and Jody Brown will return to the world stage
Drew Spence brings experience, Peyton McNamara is one to watch
The meteoric rise of women's football in Jamaica over the past ten years shows little sign of stopping as the nation hurtles towards a second successive FIFA Women's World Cup™.
Now, as a result of an upturn in funding, player quality and top-level participation, coach Lorne Donaldson has a talented squad to pick from, with a host of top-flight players set to travel Down Under in July.
Here, FIFA takes a look at five Reggae Girlz to keep an eye on in Australia and New Zealand.
Position: Forward Date of birth: 31 January 1997
Goalscorer-in-chief Shaw enjoyed a record-breaking 31-goal season for Manchester City, and is certainly one of the most in-form players heading to these global finals.
She combines aerial prowess with a killer instinct in front of goal, an ability to play off either foot and, with nine assists to her name during the 22/23 campaign, is more than capable of bringing others into play.
"She’s tremendous. There’s no doubt about it. She’s built well. She’s hungry for a goal. She has a clear understanding of the game, and of how she plays," coach Donaldson said of his star player.
Position: Midfielder Date of birth: 23 October 1992
A bona fide WSL legend, Spence is set to take her career to its latest height, as she readies up to take part in her first Women's World Cup.
After switching allegiances from England to Jamaica in 2021, the midfielder went on to play in every game at the Concacaf W Championship, and earned a spot in the Team of The Tournament.
As well as experience, the five-time WSL winner brings a strong all-round game to the Reggae Girlz' engine room. Able to mix it in both defence and attack, the 30-year-old is composed on the ball and adept at breaking up play.
Position: Midfielder Date of birth: 16 April 2002
Following a red-hot 2022 campaign, in which Brown contributed to 18 goals for club side Florida State, the youngest member of the trailblazing 2019 Reggae Girlz squad is set to star once again at the showpiece event.
At home on either flank, the 21-year-old brings pace to the sharp-end of Jamaica's attack and a goal threat. She can also drop slightly deeper, utilising her dribbling skills and work rate in midfield.
Brown's experience with Jamaica bellies her tender years, as the superstar-in-the-making readies up to dine at the top table of international football once again.
Position: Defender Date of birth: 3 October 1996
At just 26, Swaby has enjoyed a career many would be proud of finishing with. The defender starred in Iceland before moving to Roma, where she helped the Giallorosse lift the 2021 Coppa Italia. She then moved to the US with Angel City, before a loan move to Paris Saint-Germain in January.
Comfortable in either a back three or a four, Swaby brings strength and athleticism to a defence which kept three clean sheets in five matches during the nation's successful Concacaf W Championship campaign.
After playing every minute of Jamaica's 2019 finals, Swaby will no doubt look to continue her ever-present record Down Under.
Position: Midfielder Date of birth: 22 February 2002
Blessed with composure on the ball and excellent vision, 21-year-old McNamara has forced her way into Donaldson's reckoning. After recovering from an ankle injury suffered during 21/22, the Ohio State midfielder enjoyed her best season to date last term, netting a career-high seven goals and laying on two assists.
McNamara's exceptional technical ability, coupled with an eye for goal, means she can play just off the striker, or as a No9 herself. That versatility could give Donaldson a new dimension to work with as Jamaica hunt a first-ever Women's World Cup point.
Official FIFA Women’s World Cup films The Class of 2011 | The Official Film of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2011™ The Story of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup™ Le Moment | The Official Film of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup™ Heroes | FIFA Women's World Cup™ Documentary
All-Time Top 10s FIFA Women's World Cup Goals | All-Time Top-10s FIFA Women's World Cup Moments | All-Time Top-10s