GUADALAJARA, Mexico, CMC – Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz are now just one win away from qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after edging past New Caledonia 1-0 in their intercontinental playoff semifinal on Thursday.
Playing at the Estadio Akron, an 18th-minute strike from Bailey Cadamarteri was enough to give the Jamaicans. The result sets up a winner-takes-all contest against DR Congo on Tuesday, with the winner booking a spot at the World Cup, joining Portugal, Colombia, and Uzbekistan in Group K.
In his first competitive game in charge, interim head coach Rudolph Speid handed starts to debutants Ephron Mason-Clark and Andre Brooks, as part of seven changes to the team that drew 0–0 with Curacao at the National Stadium.
Left back Ronaldo Webster, in his first official start for Jamaica, was dangerous in the opening stages, and it was his free kick that led to the opener.
Webster’s powerful low strike from 20 yards proved too much for New Caledonia goalkeeper Rocky Nyikeine, who pushed the ball straight to Cadamarteri, who tapped in the rebound from close range.
New Caledonia tried to respond late in the first half with two efforts from the halfway line, trying to catch goalkeeper Andre Blake out, but both failed to hit the target.
In the second half, clear-cut chances were hard to come by. However, Webster wasted a perfect opportunity to put the game to bed when he found himself one-on-one with the keeper, but Nyikeine saved his chipped effort.
In their attempt to find an equalizer, Gerard Waia had the best chance for New Caledonia in the 87th minute with a firm strike from close range, but Blake managed to push it away and keep the clean sheet.
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