Overseas camps for Golden Jaguars ahead of World Cup qualifiers

Given that the FIFA international window is from June 3 and the clash against Panama is three days after, the camps could likely be held later this month, meaning there could be more home-based players until the other players are released from international clubs.

Highlighting that many of the players are currently active within their respective leagues for much-needed “game time”, Forde indicated: “We are also planning international camps. We have two countries with which we are discussing camps. They [players] will go and have at least two-week camps and play a lot of games in preparation for what will be the toughest game against Panama.”

To add further context to the fixture, Panama is currently ranked 45^th by FIFA, third in CONCACAF (behind Mexico and the USA), and qualified for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

“We have to bring our A-game, and I have confidence in the work Jamaal Shabazz has done. The Guyana Football Federation has proven for many years that we are not confined by our limitations and by our challenges,” Forde added.

Based on the schedule, Guyana has to host Belize on June 11, but that fixture will not be held in Guyana due to the lack of an appropriate venue.

“The unfortunate reality is that the entire campaign will be played outside of Guyana again, which is sad for the entire country, but we have no control over that. Our mind and focus is rigidly fixed that the team’s preparation is of the best level,” the GFF head added.

Belize is ranked 182^nd by FIFA, while Guyana is at 154^th and 19^th in CONCACAF.

Guyana also has Group fixtures against Nicaragua (ranked 16^th by CONCACAF) and Montserrat (ranked 23^rd by CONCACAF).

Only the group winners and runners-up will advance to Qualifiers’ third and final round.

In the third round, the twelve teams advancing from the second round will be drawn into three groups of four teams.

They will play double round-robin home-and-away matches, with the three group winners qualifying for the World Cup.

The two best-ranked runners-up will advance to the inter-confederation playoffs.