Jamaica failed to advance to the FIFA World Cup after the Reggae Boyz played to a disappointing 0-0 draw against Curacao at the National Stadium in Kingston on Tuesday night.

Jamaica finished second in Group H with 11 points while Curacao finished on top with 12 points and became the smallest nation—with a population of approximately 156,000—to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 

However, the Reggae Boyz have a chance of getting into the Confederation Playoffs as one of the best second-placed teams.

The Reggae Boyz, back by a packed Stadium, hit the post three times but just could not get that vital goal.

Jamaica came close to taking the lead in the 54th minute with a header from Greg Leigh that bounced off the right post.

Jürgen Locadia had a good look for Curaçao in the 66th but his finish from inside the box was saved by Jamaica goalkeeper Andre Blake at the bottom-left corner.

Two more headers rattled the woodwork as the Jamaica pushed for that crucial goal, with Shamar Nicholson hitting the crossbar in the 70th and substitute Bailey Cadamarteri the right post in the 87th minute.

Then, in time added on, the 35,000-capacity venue roared in excitement as the El Salvadorian referee pointed to the penalty spot as a charging Jamaican went down in front of the opponent’s goal. 

Certainly, this is the breakthrough the nation craved for, but the joy was short-lived as the Video Assistant referee VAR thought otherwise, and the decision was overturned as the Stadium crushingly went silent. 

Curacao joined Haiti and Panama as the three teams from Concacaf that qualified for the World Cup automatically as group winners. Haiti defeated Nicaragua 2-0, and Panama beat El Salvador 3-0. 

Jamaica and Suriname are the best two second-placed teams and will be out in the hat for the playoffs with teams from Africa, Oceania, and South America.

Bolivia, Congo Republic, New Caledonia and Iraq, Jamaica and Suriname are the teams in the playoffs. 

Jamaica made the World Cup for the first time in 1998, and the nation now awaits a repeat of that historic occasion.