MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 02: Jamaica's players celebrate qualifying for the last 16 after the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group F match between Jamaica and Brazil at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on August 2, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Will Murray/Getty Images)
This week Jamaica reportedly made history on the FIFA Women’s World Cup stage. Its team,Reggae Girlz, has advanced to the knockout round of the tournament for the first time.
On Wednesday (Aug. 2), the Reggae Girlz booted Brazil’s team from the group stage after a 0-0 draw, per Associated Press. The outlet reports that this occasion marks the first time Brazil won’t be advancing since the 1995 Women’s World Cup.
The team’s coach,Lorne Donaldson, praised her players for their performance.
“It’s the best feeling I’ve ever had in my life. To be able to do this is unbelievable to just watch it, while I’m alive. I thank the girls for doing this for the country. The country should be proud,” Donaldson said, per AP.
According to AP, the Reggae Girlz stepped onto the world soccer stage in 2019–initially losing all three group-stage matches. Ironically, that included a 3-0 loss to Brazil. Wednesday’s game is their first time qualifying for the World Cup since then.
For context, the knockout round is also known as Round of 16. Jamaica played in the Group F game against Brazil. Now, their advancement means they will face the winner of Group H–between Germany and France.
Throughout this year’s World Cup, Spain, Czech Republic, and Australia have claimed wins against the Reggae Girlz. However, the Jamaican team scored one win against Panama and two draws–Brazil and France.
Their road to the World Cup hasn’t been easy. Despite reported planning, transportation, and training issues, the team made this history–thanks, in part, to a crowdfunding campaign that raised over $50,000.
Jamaica is now second to France at this stage of the competition, per Forbes. Their next match will go down on Aug. 8.
