Reggae Boyz’s head coach Steve McClaren said Jamaica’s World Cup qualifying match against Bermuda inside the National Stadium tonight is now a must-win game. Match time is 7:00 pm.

Jamaica suffered their first defeat of the campaign and have slipped to second spot in Group B on six points from three games, behind leaders Curacao on seven points.

Trinidad and Tobago are in third spot on four points, and they face Curacao in a crucial encounter on Tuesday as only the group winner qualifies directly to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Bermuda are pointless and basically out of contention, and Jamaica must take advantage of a team lacking in motivation.

“It’s a must-win game and that’s what we’re preparing for,” said McClaren on Monday after training.

“We know a little bit more about Bermuda after playing them. It’s a tricky game. It’s always gonna be a difficult game. We need to win,” he reiterated. “So, preparation is key as long as we get that right. The recovery, we’ve got energy, attitude. We know what we’re doing. We do our jobs, and we want the supporters also. I think we need a collective tomorrow.”

McClaren continued: “I think at times, during the game, it may be difficult. We say to the players, we have to stick together, and we also say to the supporters, stick together.

“So, the 12th man is gonna be important, create a good atmosphere, but we have to make that.”

Jamaica started the final phase of the qualifiers positively, beating Bermuda 4-0 and Trinidad and Tobago 2-0, but slumped to a 0-2 defeat to Curacao last week and slipped to second spot.

Captain and goalkeeper Andre Blake confidently expects the team to bounce back as they are professional players and know what is needed to win.

“Last week, I think it was a tricky game, you know, going there and playing on turf. But no excuse from the player’s side. We have to be able to adapt. We’re professionals,” said Blake. “We have to be able to adapt and adjust wherever we go. I always say it’s both teams playing on the same pitch, and we had our chances, and we didn’t take our chances, and they did. That’s just football.”

He continued: “So we have to learn from it and we have to keep getting better. Come tomorrow [Tuesday], we know exactly what we have to do. No game is easy. You don’t win games on paper anymore.

“You have to go out there, and you have to apply yourselves. Whenever you show up and you’re not ready to play, it’s gonna be a difficult game.

“So, the mindset is right. The mindset is clear. We know exactly what we have to do, and we’re gonna go out there and execute.”

The Reggae Boyz need to win and hope that Curacao drop points in their game with Trinidad and Tobago to regain the advantage in the group in their bid to qualify for only their second FIFA World Cup.

There will be two more games after tonight’s match against Trinidad and Tobago and Curacao, which will be difficult games; hence, this match against Bermuda is now a must-win game.