Jamaica 0-0 Curaçao: Reggae Boyz' World Cup dream halted in historic draw at Kingston stadium

It wasn’t the win Jamaica needed. Not even close. On the World Cup qualifier between Jamaica and CuraçaoNational Stadium in Kingston, the Reggae Boyz fought like champions — but came up empty. The final whistle blew at 90+11’, the scoreboard reading 0-0. For Steve McClaren, the English manager who took over Jamaica’s national team just 18 months ago, it was a gut punch. A win would’ve sent them to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Instead, they’re left watching — wondering what might have been.

History on the Line — One Team Dreaming Big, the Other Fighting to Stop It

Before kickoff, Curaçao — nicknamed The Blue Wave — sat atop the CONCACAF Third Round group with 12 points from six games: three wins, three draws, zero losses. A draw would be enough. A win? Unthinkable. The island nation of just 160,000 people was on the brink of becoming the smallest country ever to qualify for a men’s World Cup. Meanwhile, Jamaica, with its rich football heritage and passionate fanbase, needed a victory to leapfrog them. The stakes? Not just a ticket to the tournament — but legacy.

It was the kind of match where the air itself felt heavy. Fans packed the stands at National Stadium in Kingston, waving flags, chanting until their voices cracked. Outside, street vendors sold jerk chicken and reggae playlists blared from car stereos. Inside, the tension was thicker than the humidity. This wasn’t just another qualifier. It was a moment.

The Match: Near Misses, Disallowed Goals, and a Late Chance That Could’ve Changed Everything

Jamaica started with a clear game plan: control the midfield, press high, and exploit pace on the wings. Demarai Gray, the Leicester City winger, was electric early, cutting inside and forcing two saves from Curaçao’s keeper. Shamar Nicholson, the Burnley striker, came close in the 32nd minute — a header from a corner that kissed the crossbar and bounced away. The crowd gasped. Some screamed. Others held their breath.

Then came the moment that could’ve changed everything. In the 89th minute, substitute Jonathan Russell pounced on a loose ball inside the box and fired. The net bulged. The stadium erupted. But the referee’s assistant raised his flag. Offside. Replays showed it was agonizingly tight — maybe a foot. No goal. No celebration. Just silence.

And then, deep into stoppage time, Curaçao nearly stole it. Jeremy Antonisse, the 23-year-old attacking midfielder, received a perfectly weighted pass from Leandro Bacuna and unleashed a left-footed blast from the edge of the box. It flew just over the bar. The Reggae Boyz defenders collapsed to their knees. Fans in the stands clutched their heads. For a second, it felt like fate had already decided.

Who’s Left Standing? The Standings After the Final Whistle

After the final whistle, the CONCACAF table stood unchanged: Curaçao at 12 points, Jamaica at 11. Trinidad and Tobago sat third with nine. Bermuda? Still winless, with a goal difference of -20 — a grim reminder of how brutal this group was.

With both teams having played all six matches, there are no more games. No more chances. Jamaica’s automatic qualification was on the line — and they didn’t get it. Now, they must hope for a playoff spot. The fourth-place team in the group will enter a two-legged inter-confederation playoff against a team from Asia. It’s a slim chance. But not zero.

“We gave everything,” said Steve McClaren in his post-match press conference. “The players were magnificent. The fans were incredible. But football doesn’t always reward effort. Sometimes, it rewards luck. And tonight, luck wasn’t on our side.”

What This Means for Caribbean Football

This match wasn’t just about one team missing out. It was about what’s possible in a region long overshadowed by North American powerhouses. Curaçao — a tiny island with no professional league of its own — is on the verge of rewriting history. Their players are scattered across Europe: the Netherlands, Belgium, England. They train together only a few weeks a year. And yet, they’re about to play on the world’s biggest stage.

For Jamaica, it’s a painful reminder of how close they’ve come before. In 2015, they lost a playoff to Honduras. In 2018, they missed out by a single point. Now, in 2025, they’ve done everything right — except score when it mattered most. The disappointment cuts deep, but so does the pride. This team, under McClaren, played with heart. They didn’t fold. They didn’t quit.

There’s a quiet irony here: Curaçao didn’t win this match. But they didn’t need to. Sometimes, survival is victory. And in football, that’s often enough.

What’s Next for Jamaica and Curaçao?

Curaçao will now prepare for their first-ever World Cup appearance. The players will be celebrated as national heroes. The government may declare a holiday. The country’s entire football infrastructure could get a funding boost.

For Jamaica, the road is harder. They’ll wait for the official draw for the inter-confederation playoff — likely in early December. Their fate now depends on who finishes fourth. If it’s Trinidad and Tobago, they’ll face a team from Asia — possibly Saudi Arabia or Australia. Either way, it’s a long shot. But not impossible.

And then there’s Steve McClaren. The Englishman who took a job many thought was too big, too messy, too hopeless. He turned a disorganized squad into a team that played with discipline, hunger, and flair. Whether he stays or goes, his legacy is secure. He didn’t get them to the World Cup. But he made them believe they could.