KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica qualified for the 2026 Concacaf Under-20 Boys Championships after edging Puerto Rico 1-0 in their Qualifiers – Round 1 Group B top of the zone clash at Stadion Rignaal ‘Jean’ Francisca in Willemstad, Curacao on Tuesday.

The championships will be held July 25-August 9  at a venue to be confirmed and Jamaica must finish in the top four in order to qualify for the 2027 U-20 FIFA World Cup.

The narrow win saw the Jamaicans complete a perfect record of five wins to finish with 15 points, three more than Puerto Rico, scoring 28 goals without conceding any.

A brilliant free-kick in the first half from Jabarie Howell in the 32nd minute was the difference between the teams as Jamaica held off a hard charging Puerto Rico in the final 15 minutes to escape with the win.

Jamaica was awarded a free- kick just outside the Puerto Rico 18-yard box on the left side and the Mount Pleasant Football Association player curled the ball right footed from the spot into the far corner of the goal.

Jahmarie Nolan had two chances to add to the score early in the second half but was blocked from point blank range by the Puerto Rican goalkeeper in the 46th minute and four minutes later, the Toronto-based player dragged a shot wide after a good build up that started in the Jamaican defensive area.

The Jamaican goalkeeper was called on to make a save for the first time in the tournament, and Joshua Grant was equal to it, sticking out his left hand to tip a shot from close range.

— Paul A Reid