Concerns Emerge Among Jamaica Players Over Mason Greenwood’s Potential Inclusion

Jamaican footballers Isaac Hayden and Amari’i Bell have raised concerns about the potential inclusion of Mason Greenwood in the national squad ahead of the upcoming World Cup. They have described this possibility as a “farce” and not equitable for those who have consistently represented the nation.

Greenwood, who has one cap for England, switched his allegiance to Jamaica earlier this year and received his Jamaican passport in August, enabling him to represent the country of his grandparents. Although the 24-year-old declined a call-up for World Cup qualifiers against Trinidad and Tobago and Bermuda in September, Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) president Michael Ricketts expressed hope that Greenwood would join the Reggae Boyz before the World Cup, noting his excitement about the player’s documentation.

This prospect has raised eyebrows among his fellow teammates, who have diligently worked to position Jamaica on the brink of World Cup qualification, with crucial intercontinental playoffs against New Caledonia and potentially the Democratic Republic of Congo scheduled for March.

Hayden, who has played for Jamaica for a year and has participated in 12 matches, articulated his commitment, stating, “I give everything on the pitch and I wanted to be there to help Jamaica progress to the World Cup.” He criticized the JFF for prioritizing star names over committed players, asserting, “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, who faced serious allegations leading to his suspension from Manchester United in January 2022, is currently rebuilding his career at Marseille, where he leads the Ligue 1 scoring charts with 10 goals in 12 games this season. While Hayden acknowledged Greenwood’s impressive performance, he emphasized the importance of principle and integrity, stating, “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 organization for allowing that to happen.”

Charlton defender Bell echoed these sentiments, highlighting the emotional investment many players have made over the years in representing Jamaica. He remarked, “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 also indicated that any potential new player joining the squad would require a group discussion, particularly given the significance of the World Cup. “You want good vibes and good energy around the squad. You wouldn’t want any distance between any players,” he noted.

In a separate development, England manager Thomas Tuchel clarified in September that he has not considered Greenwood for a call-up, emphasizing that the Marseille forward is not currently on his radar.