Steve McClaren has announced his resignation as head coach of Jamaica’s national football team following a result that dashed their hopes of direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
The decision comes after Jamaica was held to a 0-0 draw by Curaçao in their final group stage match. Needing a victory to secure an automatic berth, the Reggae Boyz were left to rue missed opportunities, striking the goal frame three times in the second half. The result sealed Curaçao’s historic qualification as the smallest nation by population to reach the expanded finals.
While finishing second in their CONCACAF qualifying group, the campaign was viewed as a disappointment for a squad considered among the favorites to progress directly. The team’s path to the World Cup, co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, is now confined to the intercontinental playoffs scheduled for March.
In a statement, the 64-year-old former England manager described leading Jamaica as “one of the greatest honours” of his career but acknowledged the team had fallen short of its primary objective.
“Football is ultimately about results, and we did not achieve ours tonight,” McClaren said. “After considerable reflection, I believe it is in the best interest of the team for me to step aside. This group now needs a new voice and a fresh perspective to guide it forward.”
Jamaica will enter a playoff tournament in Mexico, where two final World Cup places will be contested. They are set to join seeded nations Iraq and DR Congo, alongside Bolivia, Suriname, and New Caledonia.