The Reggae Boyz came agonisingly close to this World Cup, and that heartbreak still stings. But when the tournament kicks off this week, the Caribbean will still have skin in the game — twice over.
Haiti are back at the World Cup for the first time in 52 years after topping their CONCACAF qualifying group. Their squad, averaging just 24 years of age, is built largely from the diaspora — headlined by Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor, who switched allegiance from France, and Wolves midfielder Jean-Ricner Bellegarde. They face a monster Group C: Brazil, Morocco and Scotland.
Curaçao — an island of fewer than 160,000 people — have made history by qualifying for the first time ever, at the fourth attempt, under veteran Dutch coach Dick Advocaat. Former Manchester United academy winger Tahith Chong, Middlesbrough's Sontje Hansen and all-time top scorer Rangelo Janga lead them into Group E against Germany, Ivory Coast and Ecuador.
For Jamaican fans, the maths is simple: when the Boyz aren't there, the region's teams are ours. Haiti against Scotland and Curaçao against Germany belong on every Caribbean must-watch list this month.