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New Caledonia, Jamaica vie for Play-Off final spot

Read on for details on how to watch, kick-off times, players to watch and more.

Pathway 1 of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Play-Off Tournament kicks off with New Caledonia and Jamaica squaring off at Guadalajara Stadium.

How to watch

You can purchase tickets to the FIFA Play-Off Tournament here. You can also stream the match for free on FIFA+ (available in most territories).

FIFA World Cup Stadium - Estadio Guadalajara FIFA World Cup stadium 2026

New Caledonia v Jamaica

Guadalajara Stadium

Kick-off times

21:00 in Guadalajara
14:00 (Friday 27 March) in Noumea
22:00 in Kingston

New Caledonia have already reached new heights by progressing to the Play-Off Tournament, and now just two wins separate them from a first World Cup qualification. Les Cagous showed great character in reaching the final of OFC qualifying, and their resilience will be tested by a Jamaica side on the hunt for a second World Cup.

New Caledonia's Morgan Mathelon New Caledonia's Morgan Mathelon. FIFA World Cup 2026 - OFC Qualifiers, semi final 1 New Caledonia v Tahiti, Sky Stadium Wellington, Friday 21 March 2025. Copyright Photo: Shane Wenzlick / www.phototek.nz

The Reggae Boyz last appeared at the global finals at France 1998, and came agonisingly close to returning during Concacaf qualifying. Interim coach Rudolph Speid has been tasked with shaking off that disappointment, beginning with this New Caledonia test.

Head Coach Rudolph Speid speaks to the media during a news conference. FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA - MARCH 5: Head Coach Rudolph Speid of Cavalier FC speaks to the media during a news conference at Chase Stadium on March 5, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by Chris Arjoon/Getty Images)

Players to watch

New Caledonia head coach Johann Sidaner can lean on two proven goalscorers in Georges Gope-Fenepej and Joseph Athale, while new arrival and former France youth international Angelo Fulgini brings intrigue to the middle of the park.

New Caledonia's Georges Gope-Fenepej in action during the OFC qualifiers

Speid will need players who can beat defenders 1v1, which is where the likes of Renaldo Cephas and Leon Bailey will come into play. Veteran goalkeeper Andre Blake also provides security in net.

Andre Blake #1 of Jamaica looks on during a game. ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - NOVEMBER 18: Andre Blake #1 of Jamaica looks on during a game between the United States and Jamaica during the CONCACAF Nations Cup quarter final second leg at Citypark on November 18, 2024 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Bill Barrett/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)

Quotes

“We're ready, everything's looking good, and we can't wait for tomorrow. We all know it's going to be tough, but nothing ventured, nothing gained. In any case, all of New Caledonia will be behind us, and I hope we'll get a good result.”
Georges Gope-Fenepej, New Caledonia forward

“We know that these two games, the opposition will be high intensity. They’ll play in transition and counterattack. And for every position, these are some of the stats that drive the selection process.”
Rudolph Speid, Jamaica coach

"Ranking doesn't matter in the game. It's whatever you do in the day. What i like the most about Guadalajara? The weather. It's sunny. I like the sunny weather. I can't tell you what the coach asked us to do tomorrow. You'll see it tomorrow. The key for the game? Just to work hard, get the win. Simple as that."
Richard King, Jamaica player

Stats

  • This is the first official international match between New Caledonia and Jamaica.
  • The last meeting between Concacaf and OFC teams in a FIFA World Cup™ qualifying play-off occurred in June 2022, when Costa Rica defeated New Zealand 1–0 in Qatar to reach the 2022 finals.
  • New Caledonia have never previously faced a Concacaf team in an official international match.
  • Jamaica have faced OFC opposition four times, all in friendlies, earning two wins (both vs New Zealand) and two defeats (both vs Australia). Their most recent meeting was a 3–2 away win over New Zealand in February 2012.
  • Jamaica have lost only three of their last 14 official international matches (W7 D4).

What’s at stake

A berth in the FIFA Play-Off Tournament final against Congo DR on 31 March. The winner of that decider advances to World Cup 2026 Group K with Colombia, Portugal and Uzbekistan.