KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz suffered a final heartbreak in their bid to reach to the FIFA Men’s World Cup for the first time since 1998 after they were beaten 1-0 in extra time by the Democratic Republic of Congo in their Inter-Continental play-offs at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Mexico on Tuesday.

After bravely battling the Central Africans to a 0-0 draw after regulation time, Axel Tuanzebe got the ball across from a corner in the 100th minute to take the DRC back to the World Cup for the first time since 1974, they qualified as Zaire.

Jamaica had failed to get an automatic spot in the World Cup after they were defeated by Curacao, held to a 0-0 draw at home on the final day of qualification.

The Jamaicans, however, earned a spot in the inter-continental play-off on the basis of being one of the best second-placed teams and had beaten New Caledonia of Oceana in the semi-final game last Thursday.

Jamaica were saved twice by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), once in the first half and again in the second half, both times when Cedric Bakambu had managed to get the better of the goalkeeper Andre Blake who had an outstanding game.

Jamaica rarely threatened the DR Congo goal but held the upper hand early in the second half, and despite earning three consecutive corners at one stage failed to make use of the opportunities.

—     Paul A Reid

Jamaica’s defender #06 Richard King reacts after losing during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers final playoff football match between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Jamaica at the Akron Stadium in Zapopan, Jalisco state, Mexico, on March 31, 2026. (Photo by Ulises Ruiz / AFP)

DR Congo’s midfielder #18 Charles Pickel (back) comforts Jamaica’s defender #19 Ian Fray at the end of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers final playoff football match between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Jamaica at the Akron Stadium in Zapopan, Jalisco state, Mexico, on March 31, 2026. (Photo by Ulises Ruiz / AFP)