Lowe, Schaefer highlight mentality and unity as Jamaica prepares for FIFA World Cup 2026 Play-Off Tournament  | OneFootball

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s senior men’s national team is preparing for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Play-Off Tournament, with both defender Damion Lowe and former head coach Winfried Schaefer pointing to mentality, discipline, and unity as key factors. 

Schaefer believes that while talent and tactical approach are crucial elements, belief and mental strength could make the difference for Jamaica. 

“We have two matches, and you have to go out and win, and not go into the games not wanting to lose. The players have to be strong in the head,” Schaefer told Concacaf.com. “You can’t be afraid – if you are afraid, then what are you doing in the Play-Offs?” 

Seeking to End a 28-Year Drought 

Jamaica, ranked 70th in the world, failed to qualify directly for the FIFA World Cup to be co-hosted by the USA, Mexico and Canada, and was forced into the FIFA Play-Off Tournament to be staged in Mexico on March 26 and 31. 

The Reggae Boyz finished runner-up to automatic qualifier Curaçao in their Concacaf Group B final round of qualifiers. 

Seeking to end a 28-year drought after its first senior FIFA World Cup berth at France 1998, Jamaica will take on New Caledonia in the semi-finals of the Play-Offs on March 26 in Guadalajara. The winner from this tie will then face seeded Congo DR for a place at this summer’s FIFA World Cup. 

Schaefer, who served as head coach of Jamaica from 2013 to 2016, said the team is in good hands with his protégé Miguel Coley as assistant coach to the recently appointed Rudolph Speid. 

“Now they have another chance [at qualifying for the World Cup] and Miguel is a very good coach. He has learnt many things being my assistant, and he knows my spirit, and I think he can do it,” Schaefer said. 

Schaefer added that consistency in key moments will be important after Jamaica missed out on automatic qualification. 

“I was not happy, and all the time I was in contact with my assistant coach Miguel Coley, and we watched the matches, and we were not happy with the performances,” he said. 

Belief within the group 

Defender Damion Lowe believes Jamaica has moved past the disappointment of missing direct qualification and is focused on the opportunity ahead. 

“I’m locked in and excited. This is a moment we’ve worked for, and I’m treating it with full seriousness and total belief in what we can do,” Lowe told Concacaf.com. 

“Personally, my confidence is high, and I feel it across the group too. We respect every opponent, but we believe in our quality, our mentality, and our togetherness when it matters most.” 

Lowe acknowledged the disappointment of missing direct qualification but said those emotions have been left in the past as the group focuses on the opportunity ahead. 

“It was disappointing, no doubt. But you can’t live in that. We’ve taken the lessons, accepted the reality, and now it’s about turning that pain into fuel and making sure we finish the job,” he said. 

For Lowe, success in the play-offs will come down to how the team approaches key moments; he said the team must remain focused on details and discipline in the upcoming matches. 

“For those play-off games, we have to apply a professional mentality. No overlooking anyone. One game at a time – details first, fitness, tactical discipline and staying mentally strong,” Lowe said. 

Unity key to success 

For Lowe, support from fans and stakeholders will be key as Jamaica looks to qualify for its first FIFA World Cup since 1998. 

“Please stay with us. We hear you, we feel the disappointment too, and we take responsibility. But the World Cup dream is still alive. We’re going to fight with pride, discipline, and belief, and we’ll need that same energy from the fans behind us,” he said. 

He added that success will depend on support from across the football landscape.  

“World Cup qualification takes a nation – players, staff, JFF, fans, diaspora, government, sponsors – everyone pulling in the same direction. Unity creates momentum, and momentum wins tight matches,” Lowe said. 

Schaefer also pointed to long-term development as an important factor in Jamaica’s progress, highlighting the role of local players. 

“We need to make more with the local players and that is how you secure the future; talent is the key,” he said. 

If Jamaica advances, it would return to the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1998 and could contribute to increased Caribbean representation on the global stage.