Reggae Girlz open Panama camp as Busby sharpens squad for Costa Rica qualifier

Jamaica’s senior Reggae Girlz moved straight into training on Tuesday, starting their camp with a lively and demanding workout before two international friendlies against Panama.

Both matches are scheduled for the Estadio Rommel Fernandez Gutierrez in Panama City, Panama. The first game is set for Friday, June 5, with the second to follow on Monday, June 8.

The fixtures form part of Jamaica’s preparation for the 2026 Concacaf Women’s Championship, where the Reggae Girlz are due to face Costa Rica on November 27.

Head coach Hubert Busby said the opening day gave him reason to be encouraged. He described the morning session as strong and said the players brought good energy after arriving from different parts of the world.

Busby noted that, with several members of the squad coming off long flights, the priority was to get them active, loosened up and adjusted to the environment.

The workout lasted one hour and 10 minutes, but Busby said the group looked capable of staying on the pitch longer. For Tuesday, however, the staff kept the session controlled as the players settled into the conditions.

With the Costa Rica match already a major target, Busby said the Panama games fit into a wider plan. He said the coaching staff understands the main pieces needed for qualifying, but the immediate work is about sharpening the areas around that foundation.

Those areas include how Jamaica operate with the ball, how they defend without it, and how the wider squad continues to develop. Busby also pointed to the return of players who missed the April window for different reasons, giving the technical staff more depth to assess.

He said the aim is to keep strengthening the player pool while using the two Panama fixtures as worthwhile tests against strong opposition.