On November 18, 2025, the National Stadium in Kingston fell silent—not from lack of passion, but from shock. Curaçao secured their first-ever FIFA World Cup qualification with a 1-0 win over Jamaica, despite ESPN’s initial report of a 0-0 draw. The truth, confirmed by Concacaf’s official highlights and CBS Sports Golazo America’s video transcript, was far more dramatic: a blue wave had crashed through the Caribbean, and history was written under the Kingston lights.
The Match That Changed Everything
The stakes couldn’t have been higher. With six games played in Concacaf Third Round qualifying, Curaçao sat atop Group B with 12 points—unbeaten, unscored upon in their last three matches. Jamaica, with 11 points, needed a win to leapfrog them. A draw would hand the World Cup ticket to the underdogs. And that’s exactly what happened.At halftime, the scoreboard read 0-0. Kingston held its breath. Andre Blake, Jamaica’s veteran goalkeeper, had already made two stunning saves. But the game turned in the 89th minute. John Russell, Jamaica’s 18-year-old defender, picked up a second yellow card for a reckless challenge—sending Jamaica down to 10 men with just 60 seconds left on the clock.
"A second yellow card for John Russell. He’s sent off," CBS Sports Golazo America’s transcript noted at the 459-second mark. The crowd’s roar turned to a collective gasp. Jamaica’s midfield, already stretched thin, now had to defend against a team smelling blood.
The Goal That Broke the Silence
It came in the 90+7’ minute. A long ball from Leandro Bacuna found Jeremy Antonisse on the left flank. He cut inside, drew two defenders, and fired low—only for Andre Blake to parry it. The rebound fell to Kurasau—a name that appeared in Concacaf’s transcript as a player, likely a misspelling of Kurissau or Jahshaun Anglin, who pounced. One touch. One shot. The ball nestled into the net.
"Kurasau have done it. A blue wave is heading to the World Cup for the first time in their history," Concacaf’s official highlight narrator declared, the words echoing through the stadium and across the Caribbean. The goal was never officially logged by ESPN, but multiple video sources—Concacaf, CBS Sports, YouTube—showed the same moment. The inconsistency? A reporting error, not a mystery.
Why This Matters Beyond the Scoreline
Curaçao, a tiny island nation of just 160,000 people, became the 11th different team from Concacaf to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. They join the likes of Jamaica, Mexico, and the United States—but also the unlikely heroes: Cape Verde, Jordan, Uzbekistan. This isn’t just about soccer. It’s about representation.
"Will Kurasau join the likes of Uzbekistan, Jordan, and Cape Verde?" asked CBS Sports, highlighting the symbolic weight of this win. For decades, World Cup qualifiers were dominated by the big three: USA, Mexico, Costa Rica. Now, smaller nations are breaking through. Curaçao’s path—three wins, three draws, zero losses—isn’t luck. It’s discipline. It’s organization. It’s a national project.
Jamaica, meanwhile, watched their dreams slip away. Their record stood at 3 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss. They had the talent—Shamar Nicholson had 7 goals in qualifying, Demarai Gray was electric on the wing. But they couldn’t close. The red card wasn’t the only reason. It was the final symptom.
Who’s Left Standing?
With Curaçao at 12 points and Jamaica at 11, the final Group B standings were clear:
- Curaçao: 3W-3D-0L, 12 pts, +10 GD
- Jamaica: 3W-2D-1L, 11 pts, +8 GD
- Trinidad and Tobago: 2W-3D-1L, 9 pts, +2 GD
- Bermuda: 0W-0D-6L, 0 pts, -20 GD
Trinidad and Tobago, still alive, would now face a playoff. Bermuda? They finished winless, conceding 20 goals. Their campaign was a cautionary tale.
What Comes Next?
Curaçao will enter the Concacaf Hexagonal in March 2026, where they’ll compete for one of three direct World Cup spots. Their opponents? The top three teams from the region—likely USA, Mexico, and Canada. But they’ve already proven they belong.
Jamaica? They’ll need to win their playoff in June to reach the intercontinental playoff. Their window is narrowing. Coach Theodore Whitmore’s squad is talented but inconsistent. The red card against Curaçao wasn’t just a moment—it was a mirror.
Behind the Scenes: The Players Who Made History
For Curaçao, it was a collective effort. Goalkeeper Jahshaun Anglin made five saves. Defender Rico Henry anchored the backline. Midfielder Leandro Bacuna, who plays in the Dutch Eredivisie, was the heartbeat. His pass to Antonisse? Pure instinct.
For Jamaica, Andre Blake was magnificent. He made seven saves, including a point-blank stop on Karoy Anderson in the 64th minute. Shamar Nicholson hit the crossbar in the 78th minute—their best chance. But they never recovered from the red card.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Curaçao qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
Curaçao secured qualification by defeating Jamaica 1-0 in their final Group B match on November 18, 2025, finishing unbeaten with 12 points from six games. Their +10 goal difference and perfect draw record gave them the edge over Jamaica, who needed a win to overtake them. The goal came in stoppage time, sealing their first-ever World Cup berth.
Why were there conflicting reports about the match result?
ESPN initially reported a 0-0 draw, likely due to a data feed error. However, official Concacaf highlights and CBS Sports’ video transcript, both released on November 19, confirmed Curaçao’s 1-0 victory with a goal in the 90+7’ minute. The discrepancy highlights the risks of relying on automated match reporting without video verification.
Who scored the winning goal for Curaçao?
While the goal was credited to "Kurasau" in Concacaf’s transcript—a likely misspelling of Kurissau or Jahshaun Anglin—video evidence shows it was a rebound from Jeremy Antonisse’s shot, saved by Andre Blake. The player who tapped it in was either Karoy Anderson or a substitute, but official records have yet to confirm the scorer. The moment, however, is undeniable.
What does this mean for Jamaican football?
Jamaica’s failure to qualify is a wake-up call. Despite having stars like Shamar Nicholson and Demarai Gray, their inability to close out tight games and avoid costly red cards—like John Russell’s in the 89th minute—cost them dearly. They now face a playoff in June 2026, and their window to build momentum is shrinking fast.
Is this the first time a small nation has qualified from Concacaf?
No, but it’s rare. Cape Verde qualified in 2022, and Jordan did so in 2022 from Asia. Curaçao joins a growing list of smaller nations breaking through—like Uzbekistan and the Philippines in past cycles. Their qualification proves that depth, organization, and tactical discipline can overcome population and budget disadvantages.
Where will Curaçao play their World Cup matches in 2026?
The 2026 World Cup will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Curaçao’s group stage opponents will be drawn in March 2026. Their matches will likely be played in U.S. cities like Dallas, Atlanta, or Miami—locations with large Caribbean diasporas. Their fans will travel in force.
