Jamaican internationals Isaac Hayden and Amari’i Bell have expressed serious reservations over the prospect of Mason Greenwood joining Jamaica’s World Cup squad, arguing that such a move would undermine the efforts and commitment of players who have been involved throughout qualification.

Greenwood, who earned a lone England cap in 2019, officially switched his allegiance to Jamaica earlier this year and was issued his Jamaican passport in August — making him eligible to represent the country of his grandparents. However, the 24-year-old declined a call-up from the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) ahead of the September qualifiers against Trinidad and Tobago and Bermuda.

In an interview with The Athletic, Hayden — formerly of Arsenal and Newcastle United and now at Queens Park Rangers — spoke candidly about the principle of commitment and fairness.

“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. “I give everything on the pitch, and I wanted to be there to help Jamaica progress to the World Cup.”

Hayden said that while he understands the JFF’s desire to field the strongest side possible, the rules of commitment must apply equally.

“[The JFF] are obsessed with names and trying to recruit more players. 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.”

Greenwood is currently in prolific form at Olympique Marseille, topping the Ligue 1 scoring chart with 10 goals in 12 matches. Hayden acknowledged the striker’s elite ability but insisted that talent cannot outweigh integrity.

“The quality of the player, his numbers, what he is producing, is of the highest level,” Hayden noted. “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.”

Charlton Athletic defender Bell echoed those concerns, stating that the timing and circumstances of Greenwood’s inclusion — or any other late addition — would inevitably cause tension.

“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,” Bell said. “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.”

Bell added that any future integration of new players must be discussed openly within the squad.

“Definitely, especially when it’s a World Cup. You want good vibes and good energy around the squad. You wouldn’t want any distance between any players.”

The Reggae Boyz, having failed to secure automatic World Cup qualification, are scheduled to face New Caledonia in the FIFA intercontinental playoffs in March, and then potentially DR Congo, in the final in Guadalajara, Mexico.