Just like us in ’97 - Former Reggae Boy confident Jamaica can again pull off World Cup qualification in final game

“Just like us in ’97. It all came down to the last home game," Deon Burton, the sharpshooter who became a hero during Jamaica’s first World Cup qualification, has offered a moment of reflection and belief as the Reggae Boyz approach their own decisive match on Tuesday.

“I’m confident in the Boyz to get the job done,” he said, recalling the pressure and pride of the campaign in which he scored four goals in five matches and was named Jamaica’s Sportsman of the Year for 1997.

Nearly three decades after that unforgettable journey, Jamaica again stands on the cusp of history. A win against Curaçao would secure the nation’s first FIFA World Cup appearance since 1998.

But this moment carries a deeper emotional weight. In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa and the widespread hardship it caused, football has taken on a renewed, unifying power. The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) is inviting fans to rally behind the Boyz and to transform the match into a symbol of hope, resilience and national solidarity.

JFF president Michael Ricketts said the significance of the occasion goes far beyond the ninety minutes on the pitch. “This is a moment that reaches into the heart of who we are as Jamaicans,” he said. “Football gives us a chance to rise together, to stand proud and to show the world that even in hardship our spirit remains unbroken.”

For many Jamaicans, the pursuit of World Cup qualification has become a bright point in a challenging season. In the shadow of Melissa, football is once again serving as a rallying force, much as it did in 1997 and 1998. The echoes of the original “Road to France” now blend with today’s “Rise Again” spirit.

The reflections of the ’98 legends help bridge that past to the present, offering inspiration to a squad filled with young players who were not yet born when Jamaica first made global history. Their messages form a collective reminder that qualification is not only achievable but part of the country’s football DNA.

Ricardo 'Bibi' Gardner speaks of the present team with the confidence of someone who knows exactly what it takes. “Our team has the ability, the quality and the love for Jamaica. We are ready.” Gardner has often said that the moment Jamaica qualified in 1997 changed everything, the mindset of the squad, the belief of the fans and the sense of what was possible for a small island with a big heart.

Marcus Gayle, who represented Jamaica in France before going on to captain the national side, called on Jamaicans everywhere to match the team’s energy. “My Boyz are ready. Let’s get behind them and fill the National Stadium.” For Gayle, playing for Jamaica was deeply personal; an expression of identity, belonging and pride that he sees now reflected in this generation.

Fitzroy Simpson, the midfield anchor who played every group match in France ’98, spoke of a unity that extends far beyond borders. “Jamaica means everything to me, and I know it’s the same feeling for this group of players. We are behind them, the diaspora is behind them and all three million on the island are behind them. Let’s go.”

Together, their stories form a single, powerful sentiment: Jamaica has done this before, and Jamaica can do it again.

“We are asking Jamaicans to support the Boyz and support one another,” Ricketts added. “When we fill the Stadium in yellow we show the world what unity looks like.”

Follow The Gleaner on X and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.