Miami (AFP) – Jamaica’s “Reggae Boyz” kept their group lead by blanking Trinidad and Tobago 2-0 in a 2026 World Cup qualifier on Tuesday, while Curacao defeated Bermuda 3-2. Jamaica’s Bailey Cadamarteri opened the scoring in the 36th minute off a headed pass from Greg Leigh, and Jon Russell added an insurance goal in the 57th minute at Kingston. The “Reggae Boyz” had opened with a 4-0 win at Bermuda in CONCACAF (North American) World Cup final qualifying and lead Group B on six points.
With regional powers Canada, Mexico, and the United States co-hosting the 2026 World Cup, CONCACAF qualifying was changed so the final round features three groups of four, with the group winners advancing to the World Cup and two second-place teams reaching inter-confederation playoffs. The Soca Warriors, who opened with a goal-less draw against Curacao, looked to have scored in the 29th and 63rd minutes, but video review each time ruled no goal by Trinidad and Tobago’s Levi Garcia.
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Jamaica improved to 21-15 with 12 drawn in the all-time rivalry. In the other Group B match, host Curacao edged Bermuda 3-2 as Tyrese Noslin netted the winner in the 75th minute off a pass from Tahith Chong, taking second in the group on four points. Chong, a midfielder for England’s Sheffield United, opened the scoring in the 14th minute and stretched the Curacao lead in the 26th minute.
Bermuda, which beat Curacao 4-0 in 1978 in their only prior match, equalized on Kane Crichlow’s goal in the 35th minute off a crossing pass from Ne-Jai Tucker and a goal by Djair Parfitt-Williams in the 42nd minute off a through ball from Dante Leverock. In later Group C matches, Haiti was at Costa Rica and Nicaragua visited Honduras.
© 2024 AFP
