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McClaren says Nicholson’s ‘best in the Caribbean’ - Reggae Boyz coach praises strikers’ attitude ahead of crucial World Cup Qualifiers
November 11, 2025
With Jamaica on the brink of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Reggae Boyz head coach Steve McClaren has praised the goalscoring attitudes of Shamar Nicholson, Bailey Cadamarteri, Rumarn Burrell and Warner Brown.
McClaren has selected his 26-man squad for the final Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers and will look to the quartet of strikers to provide goals.
The Reggae Boyz boss said he has selected the four forwards due to their familiarity with the national programme and their goalscoring attitude.
"Knowing players and working with players I think is always an advantage," he said.
"If you notice with all these strikers, one thing they've got is attitude. They work, they've got speed, and they can score and that's so important in the process."
Of the four, Nicholson has the most goals for the Reggae Boyz, having scored 21 in 61 appearances.
LEADER
McClaren has praised the striker as the best in the Caribbean and one of the team's leaders.
"Shamar is the best in the Caribbean. I think Shamar became a talisman, and you saw him in the last game, especially at home against Bermuda, he was the leader, he was the frontman, he was the hustler. He was there, he was fighting for the ball. He was fighting for everything," McClaren praised.
"He's so important to us for the amount of goals he scores against Caribbean teams, which is the reason why we brought him back into the fold, so it's a no brainer."
McClaren described the other three strikers as quality additions who have proven their worth.
Brown, who made his international debut this year, has scored four goals in nine caps, three of which came in World Cup Qualifying action.
Cadamarteri and Burrell have scored one goal each.
"We brought in Cadamarteri when we didn't have Rumarn, and when we didn't have Shamar and we didn't have Warner, Cadamarteri came in and he played against Bermuda, and scored against Trinidad."
Jamaica will face Trinidad and Tobago on November 13 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, before hosting Curacao at the National Stadium on November 18.
The Reggae Boyz lead Group B with nine points, ahead of Curacao eight, Trinidad and Tobago five, and Bermuda without a point.
The group winner will qualify for the World Cup, with the top two second-place teams in the three-group round advancing to the intercontinental playoffs.
Jamaica are looking to qualify for only their second ever World Cup, having made their only appearance in France 1998.
