The second international break of the campaign is now over for Imps (and former Imps), and the qualifying for World Cup 2026 still hasn’t been finalised.
Group B on the CONCACAF qualifying is where our interest is (who thought we’d ever say that) and last night’s results have left things wide open for the weekend of November 15th.
🇯🇲🔥 JAMAICA TAKES THE WIN! 🔥
The Reggae Boyz light up the National Stadium with an unforgettable 4–0 victory over Bermuda in their World Cup Qualifier game! 💪🏾⚽
Here’s how the magic happened:
⚽ 24’ — Dante Leverock (OG)
⚽ 26’ — Bobby De Cordova-Reid
⚽ 35’ — Shamar… pic.twitter.com/7YIBDeosuH— Jamaica Observer (@JamaicaObserver) October 15, 2025
Jamaica Back On Top
The Reggae Boyz last qualified for the tournament in 1998, but with the expansion of teams, they’re front-runners to be in the US next summer. They regained top spot in Group B of the Concacaf World Cup qualifiers with a dominant 4-0 victory over Bermuda at Kingston’s National Stadium.
Imps loanee Dexter Lembikisa is a key figure for Steve McClaren’s side, and he was rated at 7.4 on Flashscore for his 80-minute outing.
They were 3-0 up by half-time against Bermuda after an own goal from Dante Leverock and strikes from Bobby Reid and Shamar Nicholson, both set up by Renaldo Cephas. Substitute Dujuan Richards sealed the win in the 76th minute with a solo effort after a powerful run through the Bermuda defence.
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jamaica | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 2 | +8 | 9 | 2026 FIFA World Cup |
| 2 | Curaçao | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 8 | Possible inter-confederation play-offs based on ranking |
| 3 | Trinidad and Tobago | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 5 | — |
| 4 | Bermuda (E) | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 14 | −12 | 0 | Eliminated |
Trinidad & Tobago Must Beat Jamaica
Going into the final round, Trinidad & Tobago are trailing in third place. They could only draw against Curaçao which has left them needing victory against Jamaica to stay in contention. Tyrese Spicer scored in the 58th minute to earn a point after Kenji Gorre’s first-half goal put Curaçao ahead.
Dwight Yorke’s job is now under scrutiny, and with Curaçao likely to beat Bermuda on November 13th, it could mean the Soca Warriors are out of contention by the time they face Bermuda. They would also currently be behind in the second-placed play-offs, a point behind Panama and Costa Rica.
As for Justin Obikwu, he didn’t feature at all. He wasn’t even named on the bench, but the report from Wired 868 says the side doesn’t have a goalscorer. Has Obikwu’s omission, even as an impact sub, cost Yorke his job?
| Pos | Grp | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | B | Curaçao | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 8 | Advance to inter-confederation play-offs |
| 2 | C | Costa Rica | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 5 | +3 | 6 | — |
| 3 | A | Panama | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 6 | — |
Ukraine Under 21s Defeat In Miserable Break
Ivan Varfolomeev hasn’t had a great break, or rather, his team hasn’t. Ukraine drew 3-3 with Hungary at home in the first game of the international round, and yesterday, they were defeated by Croatia under 21s, 1-0.
It was a feisty game with eight bookings, but Varfolomeev escaped a caution as his side were justly beaten. Croatia dominated chances, 16 to six, five on target to just the one for the Blue and Yellows.
Sturm Graz forward Leon Grgic got the only goal of the game, and it leaves Ukraine playing catch-up in their qualifying group for Euro 2027. That said, there is a long way to go, and many teams are bunched together.
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Turkey | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 5 | Final tournament |
| 2 | Croatia | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 4 | Play-offs |
| 3 | Ukraine | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 4 | +3 | 4 | — |
| 4 | Hungary | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 3 | — |
| 5 | Lithuania | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 7 | −6 | 1 | — |
Updated to match(es) played on 14 October 2025. Source: UEFA
Puerto Rico Face World Champions
It might not be a current Imp, but it is worth mentioning Charlie Trout, a one-time Imps trainee, who led Puerto Rico out against Lionel Messi and World Champions Argentina. Like our own showing against a team of that level, they had a decent first half, but ran out of steam in the second.
They were 3-0 down after a competitive first half in which they created a few chances, but they offered little resistance after the break. Substitute Lautaro Martínez struck twice late on, adding to a brace from Alexis Mac Allister. Although Lionel Messi did not score on his return to international action following a two-match absence, he played a key role by providing two assists.
Left-back Nicolás González also impressed, contributing two assists in a comfortable and commanding Argentine victory.
Hong Kong Climb Rankings
Finally, Ashley Westwood was only an Imp for a short period, but he’s now in charge of Hong Kong. They’re ranked 146th in the world, and bagged a 4-3 win over Bangladesh (184th) and a 1-1 draw with Singapore (158th), albeit with ten men. It leaves them top of the Asian Cup Qualifying Group C, with India (134th) the other opponents.
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