When Steve McClaren stepped off the podium at the National Stadium in Kingston on November 19, 2025, he didn’t just walk away from a job—he walked away from a dream. The 63-year-old Englishman, once tasked with guiding the Jamaica national football team—the Reggae Boyz—to their third 2026 FIFA World Cup appearance, resigned moments after a 0-0 draw with Curacao ended Jamaica’s automatic qualification hopes. Football, he said, is a results business. And tonight, the results were brutal.
A Match That Changed Everything
The game on November 18, 2025, wasn’t just another qualifier. It was winner-takes-all. One win, and Jamaica would have joined the world’s elite in the 2026 tournament hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. A draw? That meant a playoff. And Curacao, a Caribbean island nation with fewer than 160,000 people, became the smallest sovereign country ever to qualify for a men’s World Cup. The irony wasn’t lost on anyone in the stadium. The Reggae Boyz, who had last appeared in the World Cup in 1998, were left staring at a long, uncertain road back.Television Jamaica reported ‘VAR Drama’ and ‘Missed Chances’ as key factors in the outcome. One Jamaican striker hit the post in the 72nd minute. Another chance, clear as day, was ruled offside after a pixelated VAR review that left fans screaming. No official explanation followed, but the frustration was palpable. McClaren didn’t blame the officials. He didn’t blame the players. He took it all.
‘I Carried the Weight’
In his emotional resignation speech, McClaren’s voice cracked—not from anger, but from exhaustion. ‘Over the last 18 months, I have given everything I have to this job,’ he said. ‘Leading this team really has been one of the greatest honors of my career.’ He spoke of pride, of respect, of ‘one love.’ But then came the pivot: ‘Football is a results business. Tonight we’ve fallen short. It is the responsibility of the leader… to step forward.’McClaren’s tenure began in May 2024, when the Jamaica Football Federation hired him after a string of underwhelming performances. His track record was solid: he’d coached England, Middlesbrough, and Wolfsburg. But international football in CONCACAF is a different beast. The region’s unpredictability—small nations with big heart, underfunded academies producing world-class talent—made his job harder than it looked.
He inherited a squad with talent but inconsistency. Players like Kevon Lambert and Alvas Powell had shown flashes. But chemistry never clicked. In their final five qualifiers, Jamaica won just once. They drew three, lost one. And in the decisive match, they couldn’t convert their dominance into goals. The fans didn’t just want a win—they wanted belief. And after 18 months, that belief had faded.
Curacao’s Historic Leap
While Jamaica mourned, Curacao celebrated. The island, once part of the Netherlands Antilles until 2010, had never qualified before. Their team, largely made up of players from the Dutch league system, played with discipline and grit. Their captain, Jair Tjon En Fa, scored 11 goals in qualifying. Their coach, Patrick Kluivert, a former Dutch star, turned a team of underdogs into history-makers.‘This is more than football,’ said Curacao’s sports minister in a post-match interview. ‘This is proof that size doesn’t matter if you have heart, structure, and belief.’ The victory sent waves through the Caribbean. Smaller nations like Saint Kitts and Nevis, and even Bermuda, now see a path forward. For Jamaica, it was a wake-up call.
What Comes Next?
The Jamaica Football Federation now faces a race against time. The inter-confederation playoff draw is scheduled for December 2025, with the actual matches set for March 2026. Jamaica will face a team from Asia, Africa, or Oceania. Whoever they meet, it will be a tough battle. The federation has already begun vetting candidates. Names like René Simões (Brazilian, former Jamaica coach), and former USMNT assistant John Hackworth are being discussed.But the bigger question isn’t who replaces McClaren—it’s whether Jamaica’s football infrastructure can keep up. The national team lacks consistent youth development. Training facilities are outdated. Player salaries lag behind regional rivals like Mexico and the United States. Without investment, another World Cup run may remain a dream.
Legacy of a Leader
McClaren leaves with dignity. He didn’t make excuses. He didn’t blame the weather, the pitch, or the referees. He took responsibility. And in a world where coaches are fired and forgotten, that’s rare.He may be remembered for failing to qualify. But he’ll also be remembered for the way he carried himself. For showing up every day. For respecting the culture. For saying ‘thank you’ to a nation that gave him more than a job—it gave him purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Steve McClaren resign after a draw instead of a loss?
McClaren resigned because the 0-0 draw meant Jamaica missed automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup, a goal set at the start of his tenure. In a winner-takes-all match, a draw was functionally a loss. As head coach, he accepted full responsibility for the team’s failure to deliver the result, stating clearly that ‘football is a results business.’
How does this affect Jamaica’s chances in the March 2026 playoff?
Jamaica’s chances are uncertain. They’ll face a team from Asia, Africa, or Oceania, likely a stronger, more organized side. Without a new coach in place by January 2026, preparation time is limited. Historically, only 2 of the last 10 inter-confederation playoff teams made it to the World Cup, making the odds slim but not impossible.
What makes Curacao’s qualification so historic?
With a population of just 160,000, Curacao is the smallest sovereign nation ever to qualify for a men’s World Cup. Previous smallest qualifiers—like Iceland (340,000) and Trinidad and Tobago (1.4 million)—were significantly larger. Curacao’s success stems from a focused development system tied to the Netherlands and strong leadership from coach Patrick Kluivert.
Has Jamaica ever qualified for the World Cup before?
Yes. Jamaica’s only previous World Cup appearance was in 1998 in France, where they lost all three group stage matches. Their qualification was considered a miracle at the time, fueled by a charismatic squad led by Paul Hall and Ricardo Fuller. Since then, they’ve come close in 2002, 2010, and 2018—but never made it again until this campaign.
What’s the next step for the Jamaica Football Federation?
The federation must appoint a new head coach by early January 2026 to prepare for the March playoff. They’ll likely prioritize someone with experience in CONCACAF or inter-confederation play. Long-term, they also need to overhaul youth development and infrastructure, as current facilities in Kingston are outdated and underfunded.
Could Steve McClaren return to coaching?
Absolutely. At 63, McClaren still has valuable experience. He’s known for his tactical discipline and man-management. While his England tenure ended poorly, his club successes in Germany and England remain respected. A return to club football, perhaps in the Championship or a smaller European league, is likely. International management may be behind him—but not his impact on the game.