World Cup 2026 countdown puts Reggae Boyz miss and CONCACAF groups in focus

The road to FIFA World Cup 2026 is entering its final stretch, with the tournament now about 28 days away and Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz absent from the field after failing to qualify.

Football analysts on a local broadcast described the miss as one of the year’s biggest disappointments for Jamaican supporters. With the competition expanded to 48 teams and hosted across North America, they argued the qualifying path had looked unusually favourable, featuring Caribbean opposition, yet the team never showed convincing form. One commentator said the Jamaica Football Federation had not given the side a fair chance, while broadcaster Oral Tracey had earlier likened the campaign to “soup” that ultimately spilled.

Italy, four-time world champions, will also miss the tournament for a third straight cycle—the first former winners to suffer that fate. A panelist said he felt little sympathy, recalling that when Jamaica reached the 1998 finals, then-coach Cesare Maldini had belittled the Reggae Boyz; Italy now shares a similar exclusion.

Off the pitch, all 55 members of Iraq’s delegation received approval to enter the United States despite regional tensions that had raised fears the team could be barred. Iran has also qualified, and observers said they hoped politics would not disrupt play, noting Iraq has two fixtures in the US and one in Canada.

Several global stars are widely expected to bow out after this tournament, including Lionel Messi, aged 38 and heading toward 39, Cristiano Ronaldo at 41, Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa at 40, Luka Modrić at 40, and Brazil defender Thiago Silva at 41 turning 42. Messi already lifted the trophy in 2022 after briefly signalling he might step away.

France and Spain were highlighted among the leading contenders, with one analyst backing France to win and noting their 26-man squad was named the same day, omitting Eduardo Camavinga while including Adrien Rabiot. Brazil, five-time champions, were seen as unlikely winners despite talent such as Alisson Becker, Vinícius Júnior and Raphinha, with questions over a true number nine and recent quarter-final exits.

Former national under-17 coach Andrew Edwards, of Genesis Academy, reviewed CONCACAF paths. He expected Mexico to advance from Group A, Canada to benefit from home support in Group B, Haiti to struggle in Group C behind Brazil and Morocco, the United States to have the region’s best shot in Group D, Panama to finish last in a tough Group L, and Curaçao—who eliminated Jamaica—to prop up Group E against Germany, Ecuador and Ivory Coast. Edwards said the US could reach the round of 16, and that even a qualified Jamaica would likely have struggled in Group E despite possibly competing hard with the right squad and coach.

Street interviews captured divided local passion, with supporters backing Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, Portugal, England and Nigeria. A trivia segment on famous players ended in a tie between hosts.