Jamaican women’s soccer team makes history after an 0-0 draw against Brazil sends them to the knockout stages in the women’s world cup.
In only their second World Cup appearance, the soccer team has advanced to their first knockout round.
The Reggae Girlz struggles to find funding for the FIFA Womens World Cup has not stopped them from making history as the first Caribbean nation to reach Round 16.
Over the last few years, the soccer team has struggled to find support for the cost of the tournament. The team released a statement days prior to the World Cup highlighting “disappointment” for the lack of support from their federation and called for changes.
Two teams advancing to Round 16, Nigeria and South Africa have also been vocal about the struggles to receive support for funding.
The Jamaican team was able to find support through a GoFundMe page created by one of the player’s mothers titled “Raggae Gilrz Rise Up”. They were able to raise nearly 50,000 to aid their trip cost.
Jamaica’s historic advancement eliminates Brazil in the group stage for the first time since 1995.
After the game, the Reggae Girlz had an emotional celebration on the pitch.
The team took to X to commemorate the moment by saying “Literal tears in our eyes as we post this! The Reggae Girlz will advance to the Round of 16! HISTORY IS BEING MADE RIGHT IN FRONT OUR EYES.”
The team awaits their opponent from the winner of Group H for their next match on Aug. 8.