FIFA boss Infantino congratulates Boyz on Gold Cup heroics

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has paused from his hectic schedule to laud Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz for reaching their second-consecutive CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament final.

The 47-year-old head of world football pinned down the solid performances of Jamaica to “hard work, professionalism, and attention to detail”.

Infantino, who attended the final at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara, California on Wednesday, July 26, where the USA won 2-1, underlined the significance of the achievement for Jamaica’s football and as it relates to country imposing itself as a football power with CONCACAF.

“This (Jamaica’s success) also speaks to passion and a love of the game, and all of this augurs well for a very bright future and will no doubt pave the way for future successes,” Infantino said in a letter addressed to Jamaica Football Federation General Secretary Raymond Grant.

The Swiss Italian, who took over the reins of FIFA in February last year after the fall of the long-serving Joseph “Sepp” Blatter, raised a toast to the players, technical and support staff, for coming together in the pursuit of a common goal.

“This was the Reggae Boyz’ second-consecutive silver medal, after also finishing second in 2015. Compliments to everyone involved in this achievement: the players, the Head Coach Theodore Whitmore, but also the technical and medical team and, of course, the supporters,” noted Infantino.

In the 2015 final, the Boyz went down 1-3 to Mexico at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

In their surprise run to the final in the last tournament, Jamaica defeated Curacao 2-0, drew 0-0 with Mexico and 1-1 with El Salvador, to finish second from Group C with five points. They then defeated Canada 2-1 in the quarter-finals, and shocked Mexico 1-0 in the semi-finals before losing to the USA in the championship match.

Jamaica’s next assignment is a friendly international against Canada in Toronto on Saturday, September 2.

— Sean Williams