Second Shot for Jamaica to Reach World Cup Finals
Back to the drawing board for Reggae Boyz as they need a new boss to help prepare for FIFA Inter-Continental Play-Offs
Managerless Jamaica lie two wins away from making their first appearance at the FIFA World Cup finals since they tackled France ‘98.
Head coach Steve McClaren resigned, although he was pushed before being given the boot by the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) this week. This followed their dismal CONCACAF World Cup campaign, which has sent them into the lottery of the FIFA Play-Offs.
March’s Inter-Continental Play-Offs will feature six nations, who are all chasing two 2026 World Cup berths. Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz will face minnows New Caledonia in their semi-final showdown.
If the Boyz beat Johan Sidaner’s Oceania side, they will progress to the final and a do-or-die clash against African nation DR Congo.
Jamaica had been expected to romp through their World Cup qualifiers as CONCACAF heavyweights Canada, Mexico and the United States were all given an automatic berth into next year’s prestigious competition as co-hosts.
Yet the Boyz stuttered, and ended up parting ways with two managers during their dismal campaign. Heimir Hallgrímsson has since taken over the Republic of Ireland, who could potentially meet Jamaica in the 2026 finals if both teams can navigate their way through their respective Play-Offs.
Jamaica finished second in Group B to Curacao, who will become the smallest-ever country to compete in the World Cup finals. The Dutch Antilles island boasts a population of just over 150,000, which is around double the number of people who reside in New Caledonia.
Panama won Group A, while Haiti topped Group C, with both teams securing their 2026 World Cup places. Suriname join Jamaica in the Inter-Continental Play-Offs, as Costa Rica and Honduras missed out on finishing as the top two runner-ups from the three groups following their scoreless stalemate.
Haiti, forced to play their games 500 miles away in Curacao due to continued unrest on the island of Hispaniola, will compete in their first World Cup finals since West Germany ‘74. Their head coach Sebastien Migne has yet to visit Haiti.
Jamaica and Suriname are CONCACAF’s representatives. Jamaica’s opponents New Caledonia lost their OFC qualifying final 3-0 to New Zealand. DR Congo wait for the winner, who beat Cameroon and then edged past Nigeria on penalties to reach these Play-Offs.
Suriname will face Bolivia, who have reached this stage by finishing sixth in CONMEBOL qualifying. The winner will tackle Iraq in their final for a World Cup finals berth.
All four matches will take place in Mexico, with Guadalajara and Monterrey as host cities in March. By which time Jamaica should be back on track with a new head coach at the helm.
Trinidad & Tobago finished third in the same CONCACAF qualifiers as Jamaica. Dwight Yorke has galvanised the Soca Warriors, despite only having a relatively lightweight squad.
The former Manchester United striker, who played at the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany, applied for the Jamaica managerial position in the 2024 summer. He was overlooked by the JFF, not even given an interview, with ex-England boss McClaren selected.
Dated tactics from McClaren cost the Boyz dearly, and for months there had been rumours across the island that he would be given the boot following poor performances. He collected 13 wins in 24 games at the helm.
Even if Jamaica had beaten Curacao earlier this week, which would have propelled them to next year’s World Cup, McClaren’s days were numbered. The JFF can either follow what many nations do by installing a top-notch head coach leading up and including the World Cup finals, or try and find a long-term suitor.
English-born John Herdman, who enjoyed success as Canada head coach, could be an ideal short-term solution. He knows Jamaica’s assets and flaws, and led Les Rouges to the 2022 World Cup finals.
He dipped his toe into club football, but his stint in the MLS with Toronto FC ended in Herdman resigning in November 2024. The other blot is that after a 36-year drought of reaching the World Cup finals, Canada suffered three defeats on the spin and Jamaica want a winning mentality next year for their Play-Offs and beyond.
Herdman’s side defended profusely during the 1-0 defeat to Belgium in their 2022 World Cup group opener. Canada attacked against Croatia, but were thrashed 4-1, so went on the defence again in their final match that they narrowly lost 2-1 to Morocco.
Yorke’s former Manchester United team-mate Steve Bruce was in the mix to land the Jamaica job, but was pipped to the post by McClaren. The former Newcastle United boss joined Blackpool instead of Jamaica, but lasted just over a season before being axed last month.
Like McClaren, his tactical approach seems antiquated and has not evolved with the times, so the JFF should arguably avoid another potential setback by adding Bruce to their shortlist.
Yorke’s work with the Soca Warriors proved he can improve confidence, morale and results. Armed with Jamaican players, who boast the pedigree of playing in top leagues around the world, is a very different ball game to leading Trinidad & Tobago but it is up to the JFF to give him a shot.
March 2025 Inter-Continental World Cup Play-Offs (dates and venues TBC)
Semi-final 1: New Caledonia v JAMAICA
Final: DR Congo v New Caledonia/JAMAICA
Semi-final 2: Bolivia v Suriname
Final: Iraq v Bolivia/Suriname
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