Cuba and Jamaica have become the latest teams from Concacaf to punch their tickets to the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026™.
The duo secured their spots at the 48-team tournament by topping their groups in the ongoing Concacaf U-17 qualifiers. Costa Rica, Haiti, Panama and USA sealed their places at the global finals on Tuesday.
Group F
Cuba booked their spot in Qatar by battling to a goalless draw with Belize at the Estadio Cementos Progreso in Guatemala City to capture the top spot in the group.
The Cubans showed great character and grit to reach their first U-17 World Cup since 1991 and third overall. The Caribbean side edged Curaçao 1-0 in their opener thanks to Deibi Borrell’s goal and then took down El Salvador 2-1 courtesy of a brace from Yankarlos Iglesias to set themselves up for qualification.
Belize also proved a tough foe, but a stout Cuban defence never wavered and secured the decisive point to propel the islanders to the global showpiece.
Group G
Canada goal: Van Parker pen (71)
Jamaica goals: Jahmarie Nolan (37), Jamone Lyle (53), Jaheem Bennett (90+2)
Jamaica reached the global finals for the first time since 2011 — and just the third time in their history — following a battling victory over Canada in Alajuela, Costa Rica.
The Reggae Boyz needed just a draw to seal their place in Qatar thanks to their vastly superior goal difference. They punched their ticket in style as goals from Jahmarie Nolan and Jamone Lyle set up victory over ten-man Canada, which was sealed by an injury-time strike from Jaheem Bennett.
Kelvin Brown was the leading scorer for the Caribbean nation in the group stage, with five goals over three matches. Canada, meanwhile, miss out on the U-17 World Cup for the first time since 2017.
Picture credit: Concacaf
