When France won the World Cup in 1998, it was a first for them. Another team celebrating a first at that tournament was Jamaica, as it was the first time they had qualified for the big dance. For many years, Jamaica had tried to qualify for the World Cup, but poor results from underfunding to their program left them frustrated and isolated at the international level. All that change though when they won their final qualifying game in 1997.
Jamaica's first attempt to qualify for the World Cup was during 1966. England were the hosts that year and favorites to win the tournament. Jamaica's qualification rounds started in 1965, and for a while things looked promising. Their opening group contained soccer minnows Cuba and the Netherlands Antilles. Jamaica easily won the group, suffering only a single defeat. Unfortunately, that pattern couldn't be repeated in their next qualification group. Jamaica was only able to manage a single draw in four games, and Mexico and Costa Rica proved to be too much for them.
With regard to Jamaica's attempt to qualify for the World Cup, the 1970s proved no better for the country. They could not manage a single win in their attempt to qualify for the 1970 World Cup in Mexico. Their 1974 qualification attempt ended in disaster when 17 players received suspensions, (due to poor behavior while on tour to Bermuda) thus forcing Jamaica to withdraw. Jamaica was beaten over two legs in 1978 by Cuba (which managed to get some measure of revenge on them), and sent them home in the first round of qualifying.
If the 70s were bad, then the 80s were even worse. The 80s proved to be the low point in the history of Jamaica's attempts to qualify for the World Cup. Their program was completely hamstrung due to a lack of funds, so Jamaica did not bother to enter a team for either the 1982 World Cup in Spain, or the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. Even the staunchest supporter must have thought this was the end of international soccer in Jamaica.
In 1990 Jamaica had a good chance of qualifying for the World Cup in Italy, and this was the end result of their regrouping as a team during the previous decade. Two wins over local rivals, Puerto Rico, was welcomed after so many years in the wilderness. Next they had to meet an ever improving American team. Jamaica tied the USA at home in the their first game, but lost the return match, thus ending their 1990 qualification attempt. Regardless, they were back on the international scene and things could only get better.
For the opening round of qualifying for the 1994 World Cup in the USA, Jamaica again found itself playing against Puerto Rico. Once again, Puerto Rico was beaten with relative ease and Jamaica was on to the next round. Canada, Bermuda, and El Salvador, were a part of the group that Jamaica was drawn into. Jamaica tied Canada and Bermuda in its opening games, but then lost the next three. Jamaica did beat Bermuda in their final game, but it was all for naught as El Salvador and Canada progressed from the group.
For the 1998 World Cup in France, Jamaica pulled out all the stops to qualify. Rene Simoes, a Brazilian coach, was given the job. Simoes scoured the country, and the world, to find any players who could qualify to play for Jamaica. Although the players had never actually been to Jamaica, a few British players of local decent were added to the national team. Simoes was also able to successfully petition for more funds for the team. Overnight Jamaica was transformed from also-rans to the best team in the Caribbean. They were also recognized by FIFA as being the "Best Mover" on their list of top teams in 1996. Jamaican efforts finally paid off in 1997, when the team finally qualified for the World Cup, and won a victory over Mexico to boot.
The World Cup ended up being a valuable learning experience for Jamaica. They lost their first game to eventual third place team, Croatia. They then lost 5-0 to two time champions, Argentina. All was not lost though, as Jamaica came back and managed to best Japan 2-1 in their final game. For Jamaica, the biggest victory was just to make it to the World Cup, which is an enviable feat on its own.
Source: http://www.artipot.com/articles/1298853/jamaica-and-the-1998-world-cup.htm
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