Cedella Marley funds Reggae Girlz Panama trip as JFF faces cash strain

The Jamaica Football Federation is under fresh financial pressure, with the cash shortage reportedly affecting plans for the Reggae Girlz to travel to Panama for two international friendlies as they prepare for the final round of World Cup qualification.

TVJ Sports reported that the federation was not in a position to cover airline tickets for the squad, which is due to meet Panama on June 5 and June 10. The uncertainty over the trip led the JFF to seek help from former Reggae Girlz ambassador Cedella Marley, who ended her formal association with the federation three years ago.

Marley reportedly stepped in with US$70,000, equivalent to about J$11 million, to finance the trip. Panama is expected to handle ground costs from June 3 until the Jamaican delegation departs on June 11. Because the travelling party is scheduled to leave Jamaica on June 1, Marley also covered accommodation for the additional two days before Panama’s support begins.

TVJ Sports said checks on whether Marley was returning to the Reggae Girlz programme indicated that the contribution was a one-off move to assist the team at this stage.

The funding concern comes after the Reggae Boyz failed to qualify for next month’s FIFA World Cup, leaving the JFF without a minimum guaranteed payment of US$12.5 million, or more than J$2 billion. That amount represents FIFA’s base participation and preparation funding for each qualified country, a package that was increased by US$2 million for the 2026 tournament.

The federation was also reported to have spent more than US$500,000, described in the report as about half a billion Jamaican dollars, on the failed final-round qualifying campaign and playoff preparation.