Jamaica’s Under-17 Reggae Boyz are on the cusp of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup when they tackle Canada today, needing to avoid defeat in the final Group G encounter at the Costa Rican Football Federation Field #1 in Alajuela, Costa Rica. Match time is 3:00 pm.

Both sides are tied with six points each, heading into this match. Jamaica holds an eight-goal advantage in goal differential, meaning it only needs a draw to qualify, while Canada need to win outright to seal the top spot. 

Canada lead the series against Jamaica in Under-17 Qualifiers with four wins and one draw. The last time they met was in 2013, Canada won 4-2.

But this Jamaican team is a talented, well-balanced one and are confident that they can not only avoid defeat but beat the Canadians.

Jamaica will be depending on five-goal hero Kelvin Brown of Kingston College, Jamone Lyle of Jamaica College, and Justin Hayles of Clarendon College. Interestingly, Jamaica’s Captain Jahmarie Nolan and goalkeeper Omario White are based in Canada with Toronto FC and should be familiar with their Canadian counterparts.

The eight group winners will qualify for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in November. Four teams have already booked their spots in Haiti, Panama, Costa Rica and the United States of America.