Edwards: Increase in rosters would have been ideal

Former national women’s coach Charles Edwards says, while in support of increasing the Women’s World Cup rosters to 26, that Jamaica will have to make do and be mindful of their squad selections ahead of next year’s tournament. His comments come as FIFA rejected requests from some international coaches on Wednesday for 26-player rosters ahead of next summer’s tournament in Australia and New Zealand.

Two of the coaches who made the request were Germany’s head coach Marina Voss-Tecklenburg and England’s head coach Sarina Wiegman. The men’s World Cup in Qatar, which concludes next Sunday, has allowed 26-player squads which were also permitted during the men’s and women’s European Championship tournaments because of complications arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Edwards says that it would have been a great benefit to the teams if the rosters were increased given the modern demands of players. However, he believes that the Reggae Girlz will have to adapt and continue their original plans for their final roster

“Having 26 would have been a big plus, because you may have injuries or players falling out of favour or whatever hiccups you may run into. You find that the increased numbers would make you better able to adjust your squad to do what they need to do,” Edwards told The Gleaner. “We are accustomed to playing with a 23-player squad, so, at the end of the day, we just have to continue doing what we have been doing.”

Head coach Lorne Donaldson said previously that their next international window in February would be crucial in having an idea of who would be on the final squad with a decision about the final roster size pending.

According to a Sky Sports News report, not all nations set to be involved in the Women’s World Cup were in support of the move. Edwards said that, without a united front, it was always hard for FIFA to back the proposal, although he agrees that the players are now experiencing difficult schedules with the increase in games on both the men’s and women’s calendars.

“All over the world, they are treating players like machines. They are increasing the number of games and, with the travelling and all of these things, it is taking a serious toll on the players, a lot of wear and tear. And that is why I think a lot of the coaches are arguing for 26 players,” Edwards said. “But then you might see changes after the World Cup and everybody can get together, look at what has been done and make a better proposal. But a proposal that has been made with not enough behind it, you can’t expect FIFA to change it.”

According to the Sky Sports report, they were told that the Women’s World Cup starting after the domestic season played a role in the decision. However, he says that the issue could be revisited after next year’s tournament because of the punishing schedule.

“There will always be room now that the seed has been planted. If there was no need for it and nobody brought it up to the forefront, everyone would have played with the 23-player squad and nobody would have been complaining. But, now that the seed has been planted, it is now taking root and about to grow,” Edwards said.

daniel.wheeler@gleanerjm.com