Jamaica have booked a showdown with the Democratic Republic of Congo after edging past New Caledonia 1-0 in the semi-final of the intercontinental play-offs.
English Football League One side Wrexham striker Bailey Cadamarteri scored a first-half goal, giving Jamaica a 1-0 victory over New Caledonia and a place in the international playoff final against DR Congo.
Cadamarteri netted the winning goal in the 18th minute for Jamaica, securing the victory for the Reggae Boyz, who have only one World Cup appearance — at France in 1998. New Caledonia, from Oceania, saw its chance to advance to a first World Cup end.
Jamaica, which finished second in their group in the CONCACAF qualifiers, will face Congo next Tuesday at Akron stadium in Guadalajara. Congo qualified for the playoff by defeating Nigeria in an African playoff.
The hard-fought victory ensures Jamaica progress to the final stage of the qualifiers, where they will now battle DR Congo on Tuesday, March 31, for a coveted place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The match, set to be played in Mexico, promises to be a tense and decisive encounter with global stakes.
The winner in Guadalajara will play in Group K in the tournament to join Colombia, Portugal and Uzbekistan.
For the Leopards of DR Congo, the fixture represents a golden opportunity to secure what could be Africa’s 10th slot at the expanded tournament, which will be hosted across United States, Canada, and Mexico next summer.
This is the first time the sides from CAF and Concacaf face each other. Congo DR is aiming to return to the FIFA World Cup™, 54 years after their last participation in 1974. Jamaica is also chasing their second qualification having played in the 1998 edition held in France.
The winner of the DR Congo-Jamaica clash competes in Group K at the World Cup, kicking off against Portugal in Houston on June 17, then playing Colombia in Guadalajara on June 23, and Uzbekistan in Atlanta on June 27.
“We’re really fired up,” said coach Sebastien Desabre of the opportunity to compete at the finals in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. in June.
With history within reach and a place among the world’s elite on the line, all eyes will now turn to the decisive clash as DR Congo aim to complete their long-awaited return to the global stage.