Despite Jamaica’s less than impressive performance against New Caledonia, interim head coach Rudolph Speid says he’s expecting a better showing against DR Congo as they aim to secure their spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Reggae Boyz carved out a 1-0 win over New Caledonia on Thursday in the Intercontinental Play-off semi-final at the Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Mexico. Striker Bailey Cadamarteri did the job for the team after scoring in the 18th minute.

The national team failed to convert several chances throughout the contest while enduring pressure from the Oceanic nation for periods of the game.

Speid, though, was grateful his team held on against a gritty opponent.

“I thought if we had scored our goals, we’d have been out of sight. But credit [to New Caledonia], they fought for every single pass, possession and they defended the goal with their lives,” he said. “I thought this was the type of fight they were going to put up — you don’t come this far by not being good. They have some quality and they played very well as a team.”

Like Speid, Captain Andre Blake lamented the team’s finishing and says improvements need to be made going forward.

“It was an important performance. I think it was a tough game. [New Caledonia] can play but I think we had enough chances to put the game away but when you don’t make use of your chances, sometimes you leave teams to hang around. They still have a belief and then at the end of the game, it can become difficult,” said Blake.

“But I’m grateful that we were able to maintain the clean sheet and to win the game because you also have to be able to win 1-0 games so that’s something that we’re very proud of. Obviously, there are some things that we have to work on and look forward to the next game.”

Like last November, Jamaica are one game away from this summer’s showpiece in the USA, Canada and Mexico. They will take on DR Congo in Tuesday’s final with the winner joining Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan in Group K.

The African side were in the Estadio Akron watching the Boyz’s performance after beating Bermuda, one of Jamaica’s opponents in Concacaf World Cup Qualifying, a day earlier.

Although aware of Congo’s threat, Speid says the team will give it their all to achieve qualification.

“They are a good team, they rank much higher than us. They’ve gone through some important teams in African [qualifying], defeating a team like Nigeria to get here so I think it’s a really good team. There are a lot of similarities to us — physical, fast, and so on,” he said.

“I expect everybody to be giving 100 per cent including us because the prize is just a huge prize at the end of the day. Lots of money waiting for the winner and just a national pride for the country, who goes to the World Cup, so I expect both teams to be giving their 100 per cent and I will give no less.”

Jamaica, who rested on Friday following the New Caledonia match, are expected to train today at Verde Valle in Guadalajara.

New Caledonia’s Angelo Fulgini (left) and Jamaica’s Leon Bailey fight for the ball while New Caledonia’s Jekob Jeno lies on the ground during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers semi-final play-off football match between New Caledonia and Jamaica at the Akron Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico, on March 26, 2026. AFP

Richard King (left) under pressure from New Caledonia’s Georges Gope-Fenepej during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers semi-final playoff football match between New Caledonia and Jamaica at the Akron Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico, on March 26, 2026. AFP

Ronaldo Webster (left) had a positive game on the left side for Jamaica. Here he is seen trying to beat New Caledonia goalkeeper Rocky Nyikeine to the ball. AFP