One more game to go and DR Congo are favorites
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Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 20.11.25. | 16:35
At the Intercontinental Playoffs in March, the Leopards will face the winner of Jamaica - New Caledonia game
The matchups for the semifinals of the Intercontinental Playoff for the 2026 World Cup have been drawn. In Group 1, New Caledonia will face Jamaica, and in Group 2, Bolivia will meet Suriname. In the Group 1 final, the semifinal winner will face the Democratic Republic of Congo, while the winner of the Bolivia–Suriname clash will travel to Iraq. The winners of both finals will secure a place at the World Cup. The Leopards will be, without a doubt, favorites in the final, whoever wins the first match. DR Congo not only secured a spot by knocking down to African giants (Nigeria and Cameroon), but they are in better form and have a stronger team than both Jamaica and New Caledonia.
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The Jamaicans were embarrassed by small Curacao, who managed to secure a 0-0 draw with 10 men and book a direct trip to the World Cup. This draw has made a huge implications for Jamaica. Not only the former England boss Steve McLaren resigned after such a failure, but the potential biggest acquisition – Marlon Greenwood now won‘t play for Jamaica. He signed the papers to switch the selection from England to Jamaica but apparently changed his mind. Not only that Marseille forward doesn‘t want to play for Jamaica, but he actually wants to play for England again, even thou coach Thomas Tuchel said he is not counting on him.
Iraq reached the playoff after defeating the United Arab Emirates over two legs (3–2 on aggregate). Their only previous World Cup appearance was in Mexico in 1986, where they suffered three losses with a goal difference of 1–4. For New Caledonia, reaching the Intercontinental Playoff is a second chance after losing to New Zealand in the OFC playoff. The Intercontinental Playoff matches will be played on neutral ground in Mexico, in Guadalajara and Monterrey. The semifinals are scheduled for March 26, and the finals for March 31 next year. The draw was conducted by legendary French international Christian Karembeu, who was born in New Caledonia.
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