Jamaica in 'great mood' after U17 Reggae Boyz qualify for World Cup - Grange

Jamaica’s Under-17 football team has put the country in a "great mood" after securing qualification for the 2026 FIFA Boys Under-17 World Cup in Qatar, Sports Minister Olivia Grange, said Wednesday.

"Qatar, here we come," she said in a statement.

The young Reggae Boyz sealed their place in the tournament with a 3-1 victory over Canada in the final match of Group G at the Concacaf Qualifier held in Costa Rica. The win capped a perfect group stage record, earning Jamaica nine points from three matches after earlier victories over Aruba and the Cayman Islands.

Minister Grange lauded the team and coaching staff, saying, "We are so proud of the young Reggae Boyz and coach Wendell Downswell".

Downswell was also coach when the Under-17 team qualified for the FIFA World Cup on the two previous occasions.

Grange also hailed assistant coach Vassell Reynolds and the other members of the support.

The match against Canada saw Jamaica take an early lead in the 37th minute through Jahmarie Nolan, with Lamone Lyle doubling the advantage in the 53rd minute after assisting the opener.

Canada’s Van Parker pulled one back in the 71st minute, but a second bookable offence for Canada’s Vicente Lorenco in the 85th minute shifted momentum, and Jamaica capitalized on the numerical advantage in stoppage time to secure the 3-1 win.

The victory means Jamaica has now qualified for three U-17 World Cups, becoming the first national men’s football team in the country to achieve the feat. Jamaica’s previous U-17 World Cup appearances were in 1999 and 2011.

The 2026 FIFA Boys Under-17 World Cup will take place in Qatar this November.

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