World Cup preparation comes to Westmoreland today. Jamaica’s national Under-17 team faces Reno FC in a friendly at the Llandilo Sports Complex in Savanna-la-Mar at 3:00 PM, a match that doubles as a homecoming honour for the man leading the young Reggae Boyz.
An honour for Downswell at his old club
Reno will honour head coach Wendell Downswell during the occasion, alongside Wesley Vassell and Clive Wedderburn, for their longstanding contributions to football in western Jamaica. Reno General Secretary Romaine Meggo credited Vassell and Wedderburn with helping to develop and sustain the sport across the region.
Downswell welcomed the recognition and said he appreciated being celebrated during his lifetime by a parish that played an important role in his development. He played an influential role in Reno’s successful years, when the former Premier League champions captured multiple national titles. Admission is J$700, with entertainment and other activities planned.
Places in the final 21 are on the line
This is no casual run-out. Downswell is assessing players competing for places in Jamaica’s final 21-member squad for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Qatar, and he says the fixture lets the staff evaluate individual performances, tactical organisation and how the team executes what it has built in training, with particular attention on defensive and attacking responsibilities, set pieces and individual contests.
Jamaica is drawn in Group E alongside Italy, Ivory Coast and Uzbekistan. The tournament runs from November 19 to December 13, and Jamaica opens against Italy on November 20. Downswell has guided three Jamaican youth teams to World Cup qualification, including two Under-17 squads and one Under-20 team.
A test for Reno too
For Reno, the match starts preparations for the 2026/27 Jamaica Football Federation Championships. The Westmoreland club is pushing to return to the Jamaica Premier League after narrowly missing promotion last season, and Meggo says the club wants to reconnect with supporters while building toward another promotion campaign.
Downswell also noted that staging the friendly in Westmoreland gives rural supporters a rare chance to watch a national youth team that is largely based in Kingston, and gives his young players a view of Jamaica beyond the capital.
Source: The Jamaican Blogs, October 17, 2026