Bolivia And Jamaica Win FIFA's Intercontinental Playoff Semis, Just Step Away From World Cup

Last Updated:March 27, 2026, 11:34 IST

Bolivia and Jamaica edge closer to World Cup returns after playoff wins over Suriname and New Caledonia, setting up decisive clashes with Iraq and Democratic Republic of Congo.

Bolivia and Jamaica moved to within one win of returning to the World Cup after decades-long absences on Thursday, following opening victories in FIFA’s intercontinental playoff tournament in Mexico.

Bolivia, chasing their first World Cup appearance since the 1994 finals in the United States, came from behind to defeat Suriname 2-1 in Monterrey.

Who Will They Face?

The South Americans’ victory sends them into a winner-takes-all playoff against Iraq next Tuesday, with the victor advancing to a World Cup group of death alongside France, Norway and Senegal.

Jamaica, aiming to qualify for the World Cup for only the second time in their history after a lone appearance at the 1998 finals in France, defeated New Caledonia 1-0 in Thursday’s other game in Guadalajara.

The Reggae Boyz will now play the Democratic Republic of Congo next Tuesday for the right to a place in World Cup Group K alongside Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan.

Jamaica, whose squad is drawn largely from the lower divisions of English football, will head into their clash with Congo knowing they will need an improved performance to secure their World Cup place after a laboured win over New Caledonia, the tiny French territory in the South Pacific.

Despite dominating possession and territory for long periods at the Estadio Akron near Guadalajara, Jamaica struggled to create clear-cut chances.

The only goal of a drab encounter came in the 18th minute, when Wrexham forward Bailey-Tye Cadamarteri bundled in a close-range rebound after New Caledonia goalkeeper Rocky Nyikeine could only parry a well-struck free-kick from Ronaldo Webster.

Bolivia produced a second-half fightback to shatter Suriname’s unlikely dream of World Cup qualification.

A 79th-minute penalty from Santos striker Miguel Terceros, following an equaliser from teenage substitute Moises Paniagua, sealed Bolivia’s victory.

Suriname, who had been bidding to become the lowest-ranked team in history to qualify for the World Cup, took the lead in the 48th minute when Liam van Gelderen bundled home at Monterrey’s BBVA Stadium.

That goal looked like being enough to secure victory for the former Dutch colony, who are ranked 123rd in the world and whose squad is made up mostly of players from the Netherlands of Surinamese descent.

But Bolivia began to dominate as the second half wore on and were thrown a lifeline when 18-year-old Paniagua’s low shot made it 1-1 after 72 minutes.

Six minutes later, an adventurous burst down the right flank from Bolivia fullback Diego Medina sowed panic in the Suriname defence.

Medina’s low cross found substitute Juan Sinforiano Godoy, who was tripped by Suriname defender Myenty Abena.

Australian referee Alireza Faghani pointed to the spot and, after a brief delay, Terceros stepped up to drill in the penalty and make it 2-1.

It marked another heroic moment in Bolivia’s World Cup qualifying campaign for the 21-year-old striker.

Terceros also scored the goal in a 1-0 win over Brazil that saw Bolivia squeeze into this week’s playoffs.

(With inputs from Agencies)

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