Greenwood’s Jamaica stance and squad opinions as World Cup spot up for grabs
Mason Greenwood could yet feature at the World Cup if he decides to switch his international allegiance from England
Mason Greenwood is yet to make a decision over his international future
Jamaica are just one victory away from securing their spot at this summer’s World Cup, but whether Mason Greenwood will be watching remains to be seen. They face DR Congo on Tuesday night (10pm) following their semi‐final triumph over New Caledonia.
There has been considerable discussion surrounding whether the former Manchester United striker will go on to represent Jamaica, after reports emerged that he obtained his passport last September. Expectations were high that he would link up with the squad for the first time during the World Cup qualifiers against Trinidad and Tobago and Bermuda.
Yet ESPN reported (via Foot Mercato) that he had not yet completed the change-of-association form required to represent Jamaica and had declined a call-up for those fixtures despite the national team expecting him for a training camp.
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Here, the Manchester Evening News examines the latest developments regarding Greenwood and whether there’s any genuine prospect of him featuring for the Jamaica national team.
Greenwood’s stance
According to Jamaica head coach Rudolph Speid, Greenwood has not yet made a decision on his international future. Greenwood has been mulling over whether to switch allegiance and is clearly keeping his options open.
However, it has been reported that he has ambitions of playing for England again one day.
Jamaica’s president’s comments
Last November, Jamaican FA president Michael Ricketts revealed the federation was hopeful of having him available for the 2026 World Cup playoff campaign. Yet months on, the situation remains unchanged.
“Initially, he seemed delighted that his paperwork was finally in order,” Ricketts said. “When we sent it to him and I asked for his opinion, he told me it was a family decision not to make himself available at the moment.”
‘Expected him joining’
Former Jamaica head coach Steve McClaren admitted they had anticipated Greenwood joining the national squad back in September. “We acquired a passport and we expected him to be coming to this camp but in a conversation with his family, he’s not going to commit at this time to anybody,” he said at the time.
“He’s taking his time over that, so it’s a little bit disappointing. We probably have to be more patient, but we will keep the contact, we will keep pursuing him because I know from my conversations with Mason and his family that he loves Jamaica, respects Jamaica.
“He wants to concentrate on club football and not commit to an international team at the present moment. We have to respect that however much we’ve worked hard to get him here for these camps. So, who knows in the future.”
Senior players’ ‘fury’
Former Newcastle United midfielder Isaac Hayden stated he ‘can’t see why’ Greenwood, or any player who missed earlier qualifying fixtures, should now be permitted to link up with the national side.
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“I’ve only played for Jamaica for a year, and there was some resistance to me when I started, but I have played 12 games and everyone can see my passion and the way I play the game,” Hayden said last year. “I give everything on the pitch, and I wanted to be there to help Jamaica progress to the World Cup.
“They want to have the best team on the pitch, but I said it to the JFF: ‘If a player is not willing to commit for the last round of qualifying, unless they’re injured, I do not see why they should be joining the group in March or at the end of the season if we qualify.’ There is no way that should be allowed to happen.”
Hayden went further, arguing that Greenwood’s late addition to the squad would compromise the team’s values and integrity. “The quality of the player, his numbers, what he is producing, is of the highest level,” he conceded.
“But it comes down to principle and integrity. If players can just rock up because of a World Cup, it would make the whole thing a farce. That would say a lot about the player, and the organisation for allowing that to happen.”
Defender Amari’i Bell voiced similar concerns, stating: “Many of us for years have put our blood, sweat and tears into playing for the nation, with a lot of things happening in the background. We’ve had to deal with all that.
“It wouldn’t seem fair to people who have been through that whole process and will never get another chance to play at a World Cup. It’s a bit controversial.”
He further suggested that the squad would need a collective conversation before welcoming any new additions. “Definitely, especially when it’s a World Cup. You wouldn’t want any distance between any players.”
Return ‘welcomed’
Meanwhile, former Jamaica international Frank Sinclair has expressed interest in seeing Greenwood turn out for the Reggae Boyz. He said: “I myself was in a situation where I decided to play for Jamaica when they qualified for the 1998 World Cup. That’s when I was asked to play. I hadn’t been asked to play during the qualifiers and in the end, Jamaica will make a decision that will allow them, if they qualify for the World Cup, to give their best.
“They might have the opportunity to recruit him once they get there, but they still have a lot of work to do to get there. From a purely footballing perspective, the answer is obvious: yes, absolutely [Jamaica needs Greenwood back]. His footballing qualities would significantly strengthen the Jamaican team. But it goes beyond that. Many people don’t share the same opinion about him as a person.”
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“It all depends on what Jamaica wants to do to create a culture within the national team. It’s a difficult question. From a purely footballing perspective, yes, of course, you want Mason Greenwood on your team. At the same time, there are things in the world that are more important than football, and it’s a difficult question to answer.
“The nation, the players, and the staff would have to accept and support him 100%, because many people will try to sabotage him. It’s not simply a matter of dual nationality; you can now play for Jamaica. Representing Jamaica involves much more than that.”
‘Obsessed with representing England again’
It was previously reported that the Marseille forward was ‘obsessed’ with pulling on an England shirt once more, but Thomas Tuchel confirmed in September that the player doesn’t feature in his thinking.
At the time, the head coach said: “I have not spoken to him until now. I have not spoken to him or his camp. My understanding was that he tries to play for Jamaica so we didn’t give it another thought. He was not in the mix at the moment and he is not in our thoughts for our team.”
It remains to be seen whether Greenwood will be swayed if Jamaica win this evening and seals their place in the World Cup – but it will certainly put them in a stronger position to tempt him to switch allegiances.