WILLEMSTAD, Curacao — In a matter of hours, Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz could take a giant step in qualifying for next year’s FIFA World Cup, and Head Coach Steve McClaren — though weary of the Curacao threat — is confident his team can withstand the game’s tactical and psychological pressure.

The national senior men’s team take on Curacao at 6:00 pm Jamaica time in the top-of-the-table clash in Group B of the final round of Concacaf World Cup qualifiers at the Ergilio Hato Stadium.

Though four games remain, the match could potentially decide who qualifies automatically for the 2026 showpiece. Jamaica lead the group with six points following victories over Bermuda and Trinidad and Tobago last month while Curacao are two points behind, after their draw with Trinidad and close win against Bermuda.

A win for the Reggae Boyz would virtually see them three points away from qualification, though a draw would keep them in the driver’s seat ahead of the remaining games. However, a win for Curacao would move them to the top of the table which means destiny would be in their hands for the rest of the round.

Speaking exclusively to the Jamaica Observer on Thursday, McClaren admits a win against Curacao is crucial, though highlighting the importance of winning all their matches.

“We’ve been trying, we’ve stressed the importance and like I said, I think as always in these groups, it always boils down to the last two games,” he said.

“They’re going to be a home game for us against Curaçao, obviously a tough one at Trinidad so I believe that whatever happens in the next two games, what decides this group is going to be the next two.”

Curacao should arguably be the Boyz’s toughest test so far due to quality and experienced players such as captain Leandro Bacuna, his brother Juninho, Jurien Gaari and Eloy Room.

They also have Dick Advocaat at the helm who has over 40 years of success at the managerial level including with the Netherlands national team, Russian club Zenit Saint Petersburg, Dutch club PSV Eindhoven and Scottish giants Rangers.

McClaren believes his team will need to be at their best if they are to come out on top.

“They have a very smart coach, very experienced, in Dick Advocaat. I remember his spell in Sunderland, he did very well. [He has] great experience,” he said.

“Curacao is a typical Dutch team — very technically good, got good individual players, they want to keep the ball possession and really want to play in a structure, good attacking players and the type of players will be no strangers to us. It’s a different kind of game than we experienced against Bermuda or even Trinidad. We have to cope and adapt and react.”

Aside from the suspended Kasey Palmer and Isaac Hayden, 23 of the Reggae Boyz 26 man squad trained on Thursday morning at the Hato Stadium. Chelsea FC winger Dujuan ‘Whisper’ Richards, who replaces the injured Demarai Gray, missed training but arrived on Thursday afternoon.

Though a last minute addition, McClaren believes the 19 year old could be involved during the game.

“We have three wingers in Kaheim [Dixon], Tyreece Campbell and [Renaldo] Cephas and we need another one. They have all the energy and do all the work so we need replacements for them so it’s important we bring somebody in,” he said.

“I’ve followed Whisper since I got the job. He had an injury last season, we followed his progress during this summer and been in contact with Chelsea every week about his condition. He’s been getting minutes — he played 90 minutes last week and he’s somebody who I’ve always wanted to have in the squad, to have a look and also have a look at his character, personality and how he fits into the group so I thought this was the perfect time to bring him in.”

Unlike the matches in September, McClaren will have the likes of captain Andre Blake, Joel Latibeaudiere and Bobby Reid at his disposal with debutants Ian Fray and Seymour Reid looking to play a part.

He’s confident the squad’s quality is enough to challenge a tough Curacao team.

“Obviously, you need your best players. Curacao are a very good team and to do that we need the best players possible. We’ve also added some younger players, younger talents so the squad is a mixture,” he said.

“A bit more of a mixture than the last squad, our experience. But also, we’ve got some senior players who we want to load into the national team. (Whatever squad we pick, it’s a strong squad so whoever plays, make sure we have to perform.”

The last time Jamaica and Curacao met was back in the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup where it ended 1-1. The Boyz won their 2017 fixture against Curacao 2-0.

Goalkeepers — Andre Blake, Jahmali Waite, Tafari Chambers

Defenders — Joel Latibeaudiere, Ethan Pinnock, Richard King, Dexter Lembikisa, Greg Leigh, Damion Lowe, Amari’i Bell, Mason Holgate

Midfielders —Ian Fray, Bobby Reid, Jon Russell, Karoy Anderson, Jahshaun Anglin,

Forwards — Bailey Cadamarteri, Shamar Nicholson, Ruman Burrell, Dujuan Richards, Kaheim Dixon, Renaldo Cephas, Tyreece Campbell, Seymour Reid.

Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz huddle ahead of training at the Ergilio Hato Stadium in Willemstad, Curacao, on Friday, October 10, 2025. (Photos: Naphtali Junior)

MCCLAREN… we have to cope and adapt and react

Jamaica goalkeeper Andre Blake makes a save during team practice on Thursday.

Damion Lowe of Jamaica stretches on Thursday in preparation for the World Cup qualifying football match against Curacao on Friday.