Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz have a simple equation: win and qualify for the FIFA World Cup when they play Curacao inside the National Stadium on Tuesday night in their final Group H CONCACAF Qualifier, starting at 8:00 pm.

Jamaica are second in the group on 10 points and trails leaders Curacao on 11 points, with the group winner automatically qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be held in the three countries—Mexico, Canada and the United States of America.

The Reggae Boyz are coming off a disappointing 1-1 draw away to Trinidad and Tobago, and following a training session on Monday morning, head coach Steve McClaren spoke to the media.

“We know what we must do. There is no in between. We must win,” said a confident McClaren, whose role as head coach is also on the line. “Many people asked about the last game, and I said for 16 months it would always go down to the last game, and so it is. The best thing for us is to win…we have to be aggressive and go for the win.”

Jamaica lost only once in the final round qualifiers, losing 0-2 to Curacao, and coach McClaren said they have learnt from that game.

“It’s up to us, it’s up to the people of Jamaica, and when you look at the horrific scenes from Hurricane Melissa, we know the effects what that hurricane had done and we want to do it for them. That’s the message to the team. Messages have been sent to us from people in areas that were hit, and they want a smile on their faces,” he pointed out.

But if Jamaica failed to win and top the group, second spot would drop them into a playoff with teams from other Confederations in what is really a second bite of the cherry.

“It comes down to 11 players versus 11 players always in the end and a little bit of luck, and if God’s willing, we get that luck or that bounce of the ball, that decision that you need to win games, hope everything comes and falls our way, then we get a chance,” said McClaren.