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‘Ready and rolling’ - Miguel Coley says Reggae Boyz’s groundwork laid for New Caledonia World Cup play-off
March 24, 2026
Reggae Boyz assistant coach Miguel Coley said the team is ready for their upcoming fixture against New Caledonia, as the technical staff has been tasked with analysing their opponents' tactics.
On Thursday March 26, Jamaica will face New Caledonia in the FIFA Intercontinental Playoffs for another chance to qualify for the World Cup, having failed to secure automatic qualification from the Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers.
Should they win, they will take on DR Congo on March 31 for a spot in the World Cup.
Rudolph Speid was named interim head coach for the duration of the play-offs, with Coley appointed as his assistant.
Coley said one of his main tasks has been to analyse New Caledonia and bring suggestions during meetings on how to prepare for their opponents.
He has also been tasked with analysing the Reggae Boyz squad, and to see areas which would need improvement.
"The head coach would have assigned us, the technical staff, different roles. We would have meetings, sometimes two meetings per week, and we have been analysing the team, New Caledonia," Coley explained.
"We have been analysing ourselves and we have been having talks in terms of developing a good rapport within the technical staff. It has been going very good," he continued.
"Overall, my role as an assistant coach, despite not being on the island, has been one in which I have been analysing the New Caledonia team and giving my opinion on the team selection, on how we want to play, and how we can capitalise on winning the game against New Caledonia."
Coley said, with this preparation, he is confident the players will be ready when they take to the field and the role of the technical staff is to keep each player focused.
"We have to take a holistic approach in terms of analysing New Caledonia," he explained.
"It's a very good team. And it's a chance for them to go to the World Cup. So I know they will give it their 100 per cent.
"It's all about the mentality. I believe our players are mentally prepared and ready for the game. So, yes, we have analysed them, and we have done a lot of analysis of ourselves, what we can improve on," he continued.
"I believe that we'll be ready and rolling for the game."
This is not the first time Coley has been the assistant coach for the Reggae Boyz, as he served as assistant to former head coach Winfried Schafer from 2014 to 2016.
Coley said he is in a better position now to help the team, as he is a far more experienced coach.
"Well, straight off the bat, I'm more experienced. I know what is at stake in these two games," he said.
"It's very important that I come here and integrate as much as possible in the team, in the technical staff team, and give as much support to the head coach, and drive the mentality of the players," Coley continued.
