Despite the belief that Jamaica’s World Cup play-off semifinal against New Caledonia will be easy, interim coach Rudolph Speid is cautious. In his first press conference, he emphasized the need to take New Caledonia seriously, noting their French ties and recent improvements, including a new coach. Speid mentioned that they have analyzed New Caledonia’s last four games and expect them to be a tough opponent.

He also shared insights from his recent trip to Morocco, where he observed the Democratic Republic of Congo, who have a strong squad with players in top leagues. Speid found the experience valuable for understanding team dynamics.

On Wednesday, he announced a provisional 52-man squad for the playoffs, with the final selection due by the end of February. Despite limited preparation time, Speid is confident in building a competitive team, stating they are focused on maximizing their efforts and will be tactically prepared for the tournament.