Topline
In a battle against Brazil that ended in a 0-0 draw, Jamaica made history as the first Caribbean nation to qualify for knockouts, advancing in this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The Reggae Girlz of Jamaica’s women’s football team have advanced to the knockout round. (Photo by … [+] Alex Pantling – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Key Facts
Jamaica’s women’s soccer team, the Reggae Girlz, reached round 16, the knockout round, of the Women’s World Cup after drawing 0-0 with Brazil in their latest match.
The team took to X (formerly Twitter) to celebrate by saying, “Literal tears in our eyes as we post this! The Reggae Girlz will advance to the Round of 16! HISTORY IS BEING MADE RIGHT IN FRONT OUR EYES.”
This is a historic loss for Brazil who for the first time since 1995 was eliminated in the group stage.
At this stage in the World Cup, Jamaica stands second only to France, whom they previously drew with.
Jamaica’s next FIFA World Cup match is slated for Aug. 8.
Key Background
Jamaica has taken hits from Spain, the Czech Republic and Australia this World Cup, obtaining their first and only World Cup win over Panama and drawing with France and Brazil. Jamaica’s draw with Brazil follows South Africa’s 3-2 win over Italy after both teams have run into trouble with their respective football associations. Jamaica’s team expressed issues with planning, transportation and training conditions among other things. A crowdfunding campaign on GoFundMe was set up to support them. South Africa’s team was in dispute with the football association over bonuses and contracts, Reuters reported, that was resolved only by a charitable donation. This is Jamaica’s first time qualifying for the World Cup since 2019.
Tangent
Last week’s 1-1 draw between the U.S. and the Netherlands drew in 6.43 million viewers, the most of a group stage match in the history of the FIFA World Cup. The U.S. Women’s National Team has also advanced to the round of 16 after a 0-0 draw with Portugal, which nearly ended in a knockout and is the first time since 2011 the team did not top their group. They face Sweden this Sunday.
Further Readings
US Survives Major Scare Against Portugal To Advance To World Cup Final 16 (Forbes)
Women’s World Cup Hits Record TV Viewership For Group Stage (Forbes)
