Steve McClaren has resigned as Jamaica manager after the Reggae Boyz failed to secure automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup, stepping down just minutes after a goalless draw with Curaçao in Kingston.
McClaren’s abrupt resignation
Steve McClaren’s spell in charge of Jamaica ended dramatically on 18 November 2025, when a 0-0 draw with Curaçao at Kingston’s National Stadium cost his side direct passage to the 2026 World Cup. Jamaica needed a win to top their qualifying group, but the stalemate allowed Curaçao to finish first and become the smallest nation ever to reach a World Cup by population.
Within minutes of the final whistle, McClaren informed the Jamaica Football Federation that he was stepping down, later confirming the decision in an emotional post‑match press conference. He described leading Jamaica as one of the biggest honours of his career, but accepted that failing to meet the clear objective of automatic qualification meant it was time for a “fresh voice” to take the team forward.
Why the Curaçao draw mattered so much
The World Cup qualifiers had been structured so that only the group winners progressed directly, with the runners‑up forced into a high‑pressure inter‑confederation play‑off route. Jamaica entered the final group match knowing that three points against Curaçao in Kingston would seal their place at the tournament, but anything less would leave their fate out of their own hands.
Over 90 tense minutes, Jamaica pushed for the breakthrough but could not break down Curaçao’s organised defence, while the visitors showed the resilience that had carried them through the campaign. At full time, Curaçao celebrated both qualification and the distinction of being the smallest nation ever to reach a World Cup, while Jamaica were left to confront another painful qualifying failure under McClaren.
Jamaica’s remaining route to the World Cup
Despite McClaren’s departure, Jamaica’s World Cup hopes are not entirely over, with a place still available via a six‑team inter‑confederation play‑off tournament. That mini‑competition, set to be played in Mexico, will require Jamaica to win two knockout matches to secure one of the final spots at the 2026 finals, with potential opponents including DR Congo and Iraq.
The timing of McClaren’s resignation leaves the Jamaica Football Federation scrambling for a replacement who can quickly impose ideas and manage the psychological fallout of missing automatic qualification. The new coach will inherit a squad that has largely performed well in qualifying but now faces a do‑or‑die campaign with very little margin for error.
McClaren’s record and 18‑month tenure
Steve McClaren was appointed Jamaica’s head coach in mid‑2024, shortly after leaving his role as assistant at Manchester United under Erik ten Hag. He replaced Heimir Hallgrímsson and was tasked explicitly with turning a talented, diaspora‑rich player pool into a World Cup‑qualifying side.
Across 24 matches in charge, McClaren’s Jamaica won 13 and lost only once in World Cup qualifying, a 2-0 defeat away to Curaçao earlier in the campaign. His tenure began positively with early clean‑sheet wins and an improved defensive structure, but a run of dropped points – including the away loss to Curaçao and a draw with Trinidad and Tobago – ultimately undermined the push for top spot.
Echoes of his England heartbreak
For McClaren, Jamaica’s failure to reach the World Cup directly inevitably revived memories of his time as England manager, when his side missed out on Euro 2008 after a decisive defeat to Croatia at Wembley. English media have drawn parallels between the “Wally with a brolly” episode and the scenes in Kingston, noting that major qualifying setbacks have twice defined his international coaching career.
Yet commentators have also stressed that McClaren’s overall body of work includes significant successes, such as winning the League Cup with Middlesbrough and capturing the Eredivisie title with Twente, alongside respected coaching spells at clubs like Wolfsburg, Newcastle and Derby. His Jamaica stint will likely be viewed as a near‑miss: respectable performances and solid results overshadowed by falling agonisingly short at the decisive moment.
Reaction in Jamaica and beyond
Reaction within Jamaican football has been mixed, blending disappointment in the result with appreciation for McClaren’s professionalism and profile. Some voices in the local game, including federation president Michael Ricketts, have offered pointed criticism, suggesting McClaren was “not such a good replacement” and that the team underachieved given its talent.
Supporters and pundits have also focused on Curaçao’s historic achievement, acknowledging that Jamaica were beaten by a well‑organised side riding a wave of belief. At the same time, there is frustration that a country with Jamaica’s player pool and footballing ambitions must again attempt to reach the World Cup through the uncertainty of a play‑off route.
What McClaren’s exit means for Jamaica
McClaren’s resignation forces Jamaica into a rapid reset at a critical juncture, with tactical continuity, squad morale and leadership all up in the air ahead of the play‑offs. The next appointment will need to balance short‑term pragmatism, preparing the team for knockout‑style football in Mexico, with a longer‑term plan to stabilise the national setup beyond 2026.
For the players, the challenge is to convert the pain of missing automatic qualification into motivation, proving that the team can still deliver on the biggest stage even after a high‑profile coach has walked away. For McClaren, attention now turns to whether this latest international setback will mark the end of his career on the touchline, or simply another chapter in a long, turbulent life in management.