Jamaica’s National Under-17 football team has been invited by the Mexican Football Federation to participate in the Torneo del Sol tournament.

The event scheduled for January 6-11, 2025 will be contested by sixteen teams, including the Mexican U-17 National Team, invited national teams from Trinidad & Tobago, Guatemala, and Panama, and clubs from Mexico’s Professional Third Division League.

The Torneo del Sol offers an invaluable opportunity for the U-17 Reggae Boyz to test their mettle against high-caliber opponents as they finalize preparations for the Concacaf U-17 World Cup Qualifiers (WCQ), set to begin in February 2025 in Guatemala.

The young Jamaicans will face Selection South in their opening game on January 6 before meeting Selection North on January 7 and the Liga Premier Team on January 8.

The team has participated in several intense training camps, both in Jamaica and the USA over the past few months and has gained valuable match experience through five friendly internationals, where they won four matches and drew one. Domestically, they have played seven matches, securing three wins and four losses.

Head Coach Altimont ‘Freddie’ Butler emphasized the importance of this preparation phase as the team approaches the critical stage of their World Cup Qualifier campaign.

“This tournament provides the perfect platform for us to compete against top-level national teams, which is crucial as we approach the final stretch of preparation for the World Cup Qualifiers in Guatemala. Playing at this level will allow us to assess our players in a high-pressure environment and make the necessary adjustments as we fine-tune our squad,” said Butler.

Coach Butler also noted that the final roster for the Concacaf U-17 World Cup Qualifiers will be announced at the conclusion of the Torneo del Sol.

Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) President Michael Ricketts welcomed the opportunity for the U-17 team, stating, “We are grateful to the Mexican Federation for this invitation. This is a testament to the respect Jamaica’s football commands on the international stage. Our young players will gain invaluable experience from this tournament, which is vital to their growth and readiness for the Concacaf WCQ.”