Midfielder Isaac Hayden believes Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz need to adopt a champion mindset as they look to qualify for the 2026 Fifa World Cup.

The national senior men’s team is two games away from ending a near 30-year drought at the World Cup after a dominant 4-0 win over Bermuda at the National Stadium in the final round Concacaf World Cup Qualifier on Tuesday.

The victory moved them back to the top of Group B on nine points, with Curacao falling back into second on eight points on after their 1-1 result against third-placed Trinidad and Tobago (five points).

Jamaica’s current position, which secures their place in next summer’s tournament, has brought a sense of relief to the players and supporters, especially after the 0-2 away defeat to Curacao on October 10.

With games away to Trinidad and at home against Curacao to come in November, Hayden says the team must approach them with high confidence.

“I think the mindset in terms of going into Curaçao was disappointing. I think we let ourselves down there because ultimately if we beat Curaçao and we won [against Bermuda], we would have qualified already, so I think that was a big disappointment from us,” he said.

“But we have to go to Trinidad and we have to beat them and we have to beat Curaçao at home. And for me, I think we have to have the mindset, especially in the Caribbean, that we’re the best team and we have to go and beat both teams.”

The 30-year-old’s return to the line-up against Bermuda, after missing the Curacao loss due to suspension, played a big role in the Boyz’s success and was hailed by Head Coach Steve McClaren.

Hayden says he has no issue with not getting the same praise as the attacking players, as long as he’s fulfilling a role the team needs.

“My job’s a little bit different to the others. I’m not really somebody that’s going to score goals or necessarily get assists [although] I could have had one [on Tuesday] if Cephas put the ball in the back of the net,” he joked.

“My job’s just really to be the balance in the team, to make the difference between attack and defence. We’ve got so many good players going forward so, as I said, my job’s just really to be there in between the attack and defence, make sure the rest of defence is good and let the lads do the thing up the top end of the pitch,” he added.

Victory against Trinidad on November 13 would put Jamaica in pole position to qualify for the World Cup as they would only need to avoid defeat against Curacao on November 18 at the National Stadium.

Hayden says celebrating qualification in Kingston would be an outstanding achievement.

“The fans turned out again [on Tuesday] in their numbers. Hopefully it’ll be a sell-out for the Curacao game at home and we owe Curacao one after losing to them the other night,” he said. “It’ll be a massive, massive occasion and hopefully it’s the night that we qualify for the World Cup.”

He’s also hoping to continue his success with Queens Park Rangers in the English Championship so he can remain sharp ahead of Jamaica’s decisive fixtures.

“Stay fit, stay healthy, get minutes, and do my best for my club because, at the end of the day, club football is what gives you the foundation to play international football,” said Hayden. “We’ve done well since I’ve joined. We’re six unbeaten, so hopefully we can carry that on when I get back.”

Jamaica’s Dexter Lembikisa (airborne) celebrates with goalscorer Dujuan Richards after the team’s fourth goal during the 4-0 win over Bermuda in the Fifa Word Cup qualifying match at the National Stadium on October 14, 2025. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

Isaac Hayden (left) of Jamaica kicks the ball as Shamar Nicholson looks on during training at Stadium East on Sunday, October 12, 2025. (Photo: JFF)