WILLEMSTAD, Curacao — Gilbert Martina, president of the Curacao Football Federation, has expressed admiration for Jamaica’s football programme, highlighting its success and expressing hopes for Curacao to emulate its achievements. The two teams are set to face off in a pivotal Concacaf World Cup Qualifier on Friday at the Ergilio Hato Stadium in Curacao. Jamaica, currently ranked seventh in Concacaf and 69th globally, enters the match as the favorite against Curacao, which stands at 12th in Concacaf and 84th worldwide. Despite Jamaica’s absence from the World Cup since 1998, the Reggae Boyz have consistently been the Caribbean’s top performers, with multiple Concacaf Gold Cup final appearances and strong showings in the Concacaf Nations League. Martina emphasized his desire to incorporate Jamaica’s strengths—such as physicality, speed, and philosophy—into Curacao’s football development. He noted that while Curacao’s players are technically skilled due to their Dutch football education, they lack the physical attributes that define Jamaican football. Jamaica currently leads the group with six points, while Curacao trails by two points. A victory for Jamaica would bring them closer to World Cup qualification, whereas a win for Curacao would propel them to the top of the standings with three matches remaining. Only the group winner secures a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be hosted across the USA, Canada, and Mexico.