Michail Antonio is ready to switch his national allegiance from England to Jamaica, according to Roshane Thomas of The Athletic.
The forward was approached by the Jamaican FA about the possibility of representing them in their qualifying campaign for the 2022 World Cup.
Michail Antonio: West Ham United Forward to Switch National Team Allegiance
Uncapped By England
Despite being named in England squads by both Sam Allardyce and Gareth Southgate, Antonio remains uncapped by England.
At the age of 30, it is unlikely that he will earn a cap in the current squad. Forwards such as Harry Kane, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Callum Wilson are all ahead of him in the pecking order, meaning that his chance are limited for the future.
As a result, after being approached by Jamaica, the West Ham United forward has opted to make the switch.
Antonio has previously turned the opportunity to play for Theodore Whitmore’s side, having opted to pursue an international career with England. Speaking to BBC Sport in 2016, he said: “Jamaica called but if I keep doing what I’m doing hopefully I can get an England call.”
World Cup Qualifying Campaign
After receiving a bye into the final round, Jamaica will begin their qualifying campaign for the 2022 World Cup in September 2021.
Should they finish in the top three at the final round stage, Whitmore’s side will qualifying for the World Cup for the first time since 1998. However, they will have to overcome the USA and Mexico should they wish to do this.
As a result, their best hope of qualifying may be through the intercontinental play-off, which takes place over two-legs in June 2022.
Should Antonio complete his national team switch, Antonio will become the sixth UK based player to represent the Reggae Boyz. He will join Michael Hector, Bobby Decordova-Reid, Daniel Johnson, Greg Leigh of Aberdeen and Adrian Mariappa in representing the country.
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