Guyana’s national football team, the Golden Jaguars, are turning to a new generation of talent in their quest for international success – and 21-year-old forward Omari Glasgow is leading the charge. Glasgow, a pacy winger from Buxton, has rapidly become the country’s talisman and all-time top goal scorer with 20 goals in 31 senior caps. This month, he’s been pivotal in Guyana’s early matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Although the Jaguars faced a tough 0-2 loss away to Nicaragua on June 6, Glasgow’s performances drew praise for his tireless attacking play and leadership on the pitch. Four days later, in a home fixture against Montserrat at the Leonora Track and Field Facility, the young star scored the lone goal in a 1-0 Guyana victory – a crucial result that keeps the team’s hopes alive in the qualifying group. As he slotted home a curling free-kick in the 60th minute, local fans erupted, seeing in Glasgow the promise of a brighter future for Guyanese football.
Glasgow’s rise has been meteoric. Just two years ago, he was a teen standout in the Guyana U-20 squad. By early 2024, he earned the CONCACAF Nations League Top Scorer award with 7 goals in 5 matches – becoming the first Guyanese player ever to win a CONCACAF tournament honor. His exploits caught the eye of Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire, who signed him in 2022. After seasoning in the Fire’s developmental ranks, Glasgow made headlines on May 8 this year by scoring his first senior goal for the club in a U.S. Open Cup match. Chicago has gradually given him MLS playing time (13 appearances so far in 2025) and, notably, released him for national duty in this June window – a testament to how highly they rate the youngster. Fire coach Ezra Hendrickson lauded Glasgow’s “keen eye for goal and work ethic,” predicting he “could become one of CONCACAF’s most exciting attackers” if he continues to progress.
For the Golden Jaguars, Glasgow’s emergence is timely. The national team has struggled in recent years – missing out on the 2023 Gold Cup after a narrow qualifier defeat to Guatemala, and languishing in the last Nations League cycle. A generational transition is underway: veteran forward Neil Danns (who famously led Guyana to its first Gold Cup in 2019) has retired, and several UK-born stalwarts are entering their mid-30s. Coach Jamaal Shabazz has thus put faith in homegrown youth. Alongside Glasgow, players like midfielder Nathan Moriah-Welsh (age 22, of AFC Bournemouth) and defender Omari Griffith (21, from Guyana’s league) are assuming key roles. “We are rebuilding, and it’s centered around youth and speed,” Shabazz said. He added that Glasgow, despite his age, “has the mentality of a leader – he lifts the team.” Indeed, Glasgow captained the squad in the Montserrat game, reflecting the confidence placed in him.
Guyana’s campaign in this first round of World Cup qualifying has been mixed. The Jaguars fell to group favorites Nicaragua both home and away, but secured two wins over Montserrat, leaving them second in the group with six points – just enough to advance to the next stage as one of the best group runners-up. Glasgow has been directly involved in the majority of Guyana’s goals, either scoring or assisting. His versatility to play on the wing or as a striker gives tactical flexibility. Off the field, he’s quickly become a fan favorite; banners reading “Glasgow #7” and “Our Star Boy” are now common at Guyana’s home matches. The Guyana Football Federation has capitalized on his popularity by featuring him in youth clinics and promotional campaigns to inspire young footballers. “If he can do it, you can,” Glasgow told a group of kids at a Georgetown clinic recently, recounting how playing barefoot in village streets eventually led him to Soldier Field in Chicago.
Still, the road ahead for Guyana’s football is challenging. The country lacks a fully professional league, and resources for training and facilities are limited. GFF President Wayne Forde has been pushing for a national training center and more international friendlies to expose the team to higher-level competition. There are positive signs: a bilateral agreement with Brazil has seen Brazilian coaches conducting sessions in Guyana, and the government this year increased funding for football programs. The Golden Jaguars also recently inked a kit deal with a major sportswear brand, giving the squad a more professional look and feel. Glasgow’s individual success – he is now in contention for the Caribbean Footballer of the Year award – is shining a light on Guyanese football like never before. Regional analysts note that while Guyana remains an underdog in CONCACAF, the gap with traditionally stronger teams is slowly closing, thanks in part to players like Glasgow gaining international club experience.
As World Cup qualifying intensifies, Guyana will likely face powerhouses in the next round. Whether they mount a serious challenge for a spot in 2026 or not, the emergence of Omari Glasgow provides hope that the Golden Jaguars can roar on the big stage before long. In the words of one local commentator, “Glasgow represents a new era – a Guyana team that is fearless, youthful, and playing with heart. He’s galvanizing football in this country.” For a nation eager to see its flag raised in major tournaments, that kind of inspiration is as valuable as goals. Glasgow and his young teammates are determined to deliver both.
Region: Demerara-Mahaica (Region 4)
Sources: chicagofirefc.comkaieteurnewsonline.com
