WILLEMSTAD, Curacao – Curacao has taken a significant stride towards a historic first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance by defeating Jamaica 2-0 in a crucial CONCACAF World Cup 2026 qualifier on Friday, October 12, 2025. The victory propelled the Dutch Caribbean nation to the top of Group B, sending shockwaves through the regional football landscape and putting immense pressure on their rivals.
Goals from Livano Comenencia in the 11th minute and Kenji Gorre in the 68th minute sealed a deserved victory for Curacao at the Ergilio Hato Stadium. This win places Curacao at the summit of Group B with seven points from three matches, one point ahead of Jamaica, who now find themselves in second place.
Under the guidance of veteran Dutch manager Dick Advocaat, known for his successful World Cup campaigns with the Netherlands and South Korea, Curacao remains undefeated in this final round of qualifying. Advocaat’s tactical acumen has transformed the team, turning their home ground into a formidable fortress. The presence of experienced players and a clear game plan have been instrumental in their success.
For Jamaica, the loss represents a significant setback. Coached by former England manager Steve McClaren, the Reggae Boyz were considered strong contenders, but this defeat, coupled with a disallowed late equalizer due to an offside call, has complicated their qualification aspirations. Jamaica, currently ranked 69th by FIFA, now faces an urgent need to rebound in their upcoming fixtures.
CONCACAF Qualifying Landscape
The qualification process for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America is heating up. The CONCACAF region has been allocated three direct berths and two inter-confederation play-off spots for the expanded 42-team tournament. The current final round sees twelve teams divided into three groups of four, competing in a home-and-away league format. The winners of each group will secure direct qualification, while the two best runners-up will advance to the FIFA Play-Off Tournament.
Curacao, currently ranked 84th in the FIFA rankings, has defied expectations with their strong performances. Their victory over Jamaica underscores the competitive nature of football in the Caribbean and Central American region, where upsets are becoming increasingly common.
Other Group B Results and Group A Update
In another significant result from Group B, Trinidad & Tobago secured a vital 3-0 away victory against Bermuda. This win places the Soca Warriors in third position in the group with four points, keeping their hopes of qualification alive. Bermuda remains at the bottom of the group with no points, facing a daunting challenge to recover.
Meanwhile, in Group A, Suriname salvaged a dramatic 1-1 draw against Guatemala, thanks to a late equalizer from Virgil Misidjan in stoppage time. This result keeps Suriname at the top of Group A with five points, leading Panama on goal difference. Panama had previously secured a 1-0 home win against El Salvador, also placing them on five points in a tightly contested group.
Looking Ahead
Curacao’s next challenge will be a crucial home fixture against Trinidad & Tobago, a game that could further solidify their position at the top of Group B. For Jamaica, the focus must now shift to regrouping and strategizing for their remaining matches as they aim to claw their way back into direct qualification contention. The road to the 2026 World Cup remains open, with every match in the CONCACAF region carrying immense weight for the competing nations. This latest round of news highlights the unpredictable and exciting nature of international sports and provides a compelling narrative for football fans globally.