West Ham star striker Michail Antonio has been named in a 35-man Reggae Boyz squad that will begin their World Cup qualifying campaign against Mexico on Thursday (September 2).

However, the player, who had a goal and assist in his team’s 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace last weekend, as well as several other English-based players will not suit up against Mexico as Jamaica attempts to navigate around red-list restrictions imposed by the United Kingdom and other European countries.

Several others, including Leon Bailey, Ravel Morrison and Bobby Reid, will also not be available for the Mexico match.

Under the restrictions, players returning from red-list destinations – countries with a high rate of COVID-19 infections face a mandatory 10 days of hotel quarantine on return to England. This means they would most likely miss out on matches, some of them ‘big matches’ for their clubs.

The JFF, in its bid to work around the challenges, said in a statement on Monday that they might have found a way to make things work in their favour.

“With three matches in the first window of the World Cup Qualifying campaign and the uncertainties surrounding players based in England, the Jamaica Football Federation has entered its vast player pool to compose the current squad of players,” the federation said.

“Some of the players will be utilized in the two away games versus Mexico and Costa Rica, while some will only be activated for the home game against Panama. There are others who will play critical roles in all three encounters.”

Therefore, the squad selected to play Mexico on September 2 will assemble in Mexico City on Tuesday.

Some members will fly directly to the Mexican capital from their host country while the rest will be flown by charter flight along with the technical and administrative staff. The players based in the USA arrived on the island on Sunday. The flight leaves Jamaica at 1:00 pm today (August 31).

Most of the players based in England were scheduled to arrive Monday, the JFF said, some of whom will be activated for the first game.

After the game on September 5 versus Panama at the National Stadium, the majority of the England-based players will return home on September 6. The squad to play Costa Rica on September 8 will leave for San Jose by charter flight on the same day.

Below is the full list of invited players for the three games. Players with an asterisk will be available to represent the country on September 2 against Mexico.

Andre Blake *, Dillon Barnes*, Dennis Taylor*, Ethan Pinnock, Damion Lowe*, Adrian Mariappa * Pending, Liam Moore, Alvas Powell*, Wesley Harding, Kemar Lawrence*, Amarii Bell, Ravel Morrison, Daniel Johnson, Devon Williams *, Kevin Stewart, Bobby Reid, Junior Flemmings *, Leon Bailey, Jamal Lowe, Michail Antonio, Kemar Roofe, Cory Burke *, Shamar Nicholson *, Oniel Fisher *, Blair Turgott * Norman Campbell *, Ricardo Morris*, Anthony Grant *, Tyreek Magee *, Lamar Walker *, Peter Vassell *, Javon East *, Romario Williams *, Javain Brown *, Richard King *,