KINGSTON, Jamaica — The opening of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Thursday has ignited a wave of infectious excitement among football supporters across Jamaica’s Corporate Area, even though the nation’s beloved national team, the Reggae Boyz, failed to qualify for this year’s global tournament.
Without a home team to cheer for, Jamaican fans have turned to personal connections and longstanding football loyalties to pick their favorite contenders, a vox pop conducted by Observer Online found. When asked which side they would be backing through the month-long competition, many fans based their selections on deeply personal factors: family ancestral ties to a particular country, admiration for star players, or nostalgic, unforgettable moments from previous World Cup cycles that stuck with them for years.
Brazil emerged as one of the most popular choices among respondents, with multiple fans pointing to their decades-long devotion to the five-time World Cup champions. Renowned for their flamboyant, attacking style of play and a legacy of producing some of the sport’s biggest icons, Brazil has retained a massive global fanbase that extends deep into Jamaican football culture. Beyond Brazil, other leading contenders including defending champions Argentina and European powerhouse Spain also garnered substantial support from local fans.
Full video footage of the vox pop interviews with Jamaican fans is available to view on Observer Online’s platforms.