Young Reggae Boyz, Haiti, Cuba Draw Tough Paths in U17 World Cup
ZURICH, Switzerland – The dream routes for the Caribbean’s representatives at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026 were laid out on Thursday, with Jamaica, Haiti and Cuba discovering their group-stage fates at the Home of FIFA draw.
The 48-team tournament, set to kick off in November, promises another festival of youth football after a successful inaugural expanded edition last year.
But for the Caribbean hopefuls, the path to the knockout rounds is fraught with danger.
The Reggae Boyz, making their return to the global stage, were drawn into Group E, where they will face European powerhouse Italy, African giants Côte d’Ivoire, and Asian dark horses Uzbekistan.
It is a balanced but punishing quartet. Italy arrives with a pedigree of tactical discipline, while the Ivorians bring raw physical flair.
Jamaica’s coaching staff, which should include veteran Wendell Downswell and Vassell Reynolds, will need to lean on their trademark speed and athleticism to unsettle Uzbekistan, who are no strangers to youth tournament upsets.
For the Boyz, finishing in the top two of this group would rank as a major upset, but history has shown Caribbean sides thrive when expectations are lowest.
The news was sterner for Haiti. Les Grenadiers landed in Group D, a brutal section featuring two former world champions and a rising Asian power.
Haiti will open against South American giants Uruguay, then face European heavyweights France, before rounding out the group against Saudi Arabia.
The clash against France carries extra spice, given the deep Caribbean diaspora in the French squad. Many of Haiti’s players compete in the French league system, making that a grudge match in waiting.
Elsewhere in the draw, Cuba, the third Caribbean nation in the field, will fly the flag in Group F alongside Senegal, Croatia, and Tajikistan.
The tournament, hosted again by Qatar, will see the final two spots decided on Saturday when CAF play-offs conclude between Ethiopia v Mozambique and Uganda v Ghana.
FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026 draw
Group A: Qatar, Panama, Egypt, Greece
Group B: Korea Republic, CAF 1, New Caledonia, Ecuador
Group C: Argentina, Australia, CAF 2, Denmark
Group D: France, Haiti, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Group E: Italy, Jamaica, Côte d’Ivoire, Uzbekistan
Group F: Senegal, Croatia, Cuba, Tajikistan
Group G: Mali, New Zealand, Belgium, Vietnam
Group H: Spain, China PR, Fiji, Morocco
Group I: Brazil, Republic of Ireland, Tanzania, Costa Rica
Group J: USA, Montenegro, Chile, Algeria
Group K: Mexico, Romania, Cameroon, Venezuela
Group L: Japan, Colombia, Serbia, Honduras
