It all comes down to this for Jamaica. A date with destiny against Congo DR in the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Play-Off Tournament, with the winner advancing to the global finals.
It’s a familiar refrain for the Reggae Boyz, who were a victory away from the World Cup in their Concacaf qualifying finale against Curaçao. Things did not work out last November in Kingston, but this time around they believe they can get the job done.
“It’s an amazing feeling [to be 90 minutes from the World Cup],” said defender Ian Fray to reporters. “We had this a couple months ago in the National Stadium, we would have liked to have won it there but we’re blessed to have another opportunity and that’s what we’re looking forward to do.
“It’s every kid’s dream [to play a World Cup]. I was just thinking about that on the bus ride over here. It’s what every kid dreams of and we’re so close to making that happen.”
Fray expects a tough test against a Congo DR team that he called, “strong, compact and good defensively,” however the time spent together both on and off the field in Mexico stands to benefit the Reggae Boyz.
“The chemistry is always good, I feel like any time we come to camp, the team is always together,” said Fray. “Everyone is really nice, really supportive and in this camp I think we’ve gelled really well and it’s going to be really nice tomorrow. I think the chemistry is showing in practice, it maybe didn’t show as much in the first game, but we had just come in, but now it’ll show in the second game for sure.”
Midfielder Ronaldo Romario Webster, whose Brazil-loving father named him after the legendary Seleção strikers, said that the Caribbean side are more eager than ever to show the globe that they are World Cup-worthy.
“It all comes down to the players, to the team, we just need to work as one, be coordinated for this game and we’ll be just fine,” said Webster. “We have to follow the coach’s instructions and go out there and play our best football. We are motivated for this game. It’s the game of our lives to qualify for the World Cup, so we are ready.”
Defender Joel Latubeaudiere, who won a FIFA U-17 World Cup™ with England but has worn the Jamaica colours since 2022, echoed Fray’s sentiments about their African opponents, and that they will be ready to slow down the Leopards.
“I think they are a totally different opponent,” said Latibeaudiere. “They are a lot more physical, they play direct, they like to counterattack, so it’s something that we have to nullify, but they have weaknesses as well that we can exploit. That’s what we’ll be going through today and then tomorrow in our meetings.”
On the attacking end, the 26-year-old Coventry City man noted that it all comes down to making the most of the scoring opportunities presented.
“I think taking our chances [will be the key],” he said. “We had a lot of chances against New Caledonia and didn’t take them, but if we take our chances here, I think we can get the job done.”
