The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) is the governing body of association football in Jamaica and is in charge of the Jamaica national football team and the Jamaican football league system, including the Jamaica Premier League.
According to the JFF, the Football Association was formed in 1910 and controlled all games in Jamaica. In 1925, Jamaica's national team had its first international match against Haiti and won all three games 1âÂÂ0, 2âÂÂ1, and 3âÂÂ0. In 1926, Jamaica hosted Haiti at Sabina Park and won 6âÂÂ0. The Haitians remained frequent opponents, and it was not until 1932 that their run of defeats was broken with a 4âÂÂ1 home win in Port-au-Prince.
From 1925 to 1962, Jamaica had regular games with teams from Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti, and Cuba, as well as with clubs like the Haitian Racing CH and Violette AC, the British Corinthians, and the Argentinean Tigers. Many of the games were played at Sabina Park and many clubs were established, including Melbourne, Kingston, Kensington, Lucas and St George's Old Boys. In 1952, the Caribbean All-Star team was formed with players from Trinidad, Cuba, Haiti, and Suriname. The team played four matches against Jamaica in Sabina Park. Jamaica won the second game 2âÂÂ1 and the fourth 1âÂÂ0, and the All-Stars won the first game 5âÂÂ1 and the third 1âÂÂ0. Noted Jamaican players included Lindy Delapenha and Gillie Heron.
In 1965, under the leadership of Brazilian coach Jorge Penna, Jamaica made its first attempt at World Cup qualifying. This was for the 1966 World Cup finals in England. The preliminary group included Cuba, the Netherlands Antilles, and Jamaica. Jamaica's first game was against Cuba which they won 2âÂÂ0 at Jamaica's National Stadium. In the qualifying match against the Netherlands Antilles, Jamaica also had a 2âÂÂ0 victory with both goals coming. In the away games Jamaica was held to a goalless draw with the Netherlands Antilles and suffered a 2âÂÂ1 defeat to Cuba. Jamaica then advanced to the final group of three, which included Costa Rica and Mexico. The winner of this group would represent the CONCACAF region. Jamaica lost at home to Mexico 3âÂÂ2 and in the return leg in Mexico City the high altitude proved too much for Jamaica and they were defeated 8âÂÂ0. Jamaica lost 7âÂÂ0 to Costa Rica in their inaugural encounter and had a 1âÂÂ1 tie when they played at home.
In 1968, George Hamilton was the new coach when Jamaica attempted to qualify for the 1970 FIFA World Cup in Mexico. Jamaica had only a few remaining players from its previous World Cup team and had to rebuild because most of its players had retired or migrated abroad. Jamaica lost all of its qualifying games in that year.
Jamaica's participation in the 1974 World Cup elimination saw the suspension of 17 players on the team because of poor behaviour on a tour to Bermuda. Jamaica withdrew from the elimination in order to restructure their team.
The 1978 World Cup in Argentina saw Jamaica playing Cuba and losing 3âÂÂ1 at the National Stadium and then 2âÂÂ0 in Havana, Cuba. Jamaica did not qualify.
In 1982 Jamaica did not make an attempt for the World Cup Final set in Spain due to insufficient funds and a poorly prepared team. Jamaica did not participate in the 1986 World Cup because of suspension for affiliation fees that were due to FIFA.
In preparation for the 1990 World Cup with coach Jeffery Maxwell, Jamaica won both preliminary games against Puerto Rico 1âÂÂ0 in Jamaica and 2âÂÂ0 at Puerto Rico. The US were the next opponents and was held to a goalless draw. The return leg in the US saw Jamaica losing 5âÂÂ1, bringing an end to their qualifying attempt.
The United States hosted the World Cup 1994. In qualifying, Jamaica beat Puerto Rico 2âÂÂ1 and was then faced with Bermuda, Canada, and El Salvador from which two teams would advance to the final round. Jamaica tied 1âÂÂ1 with Canada and Bermuda and then lost 2âÂÂ0 to El Salvador, 1âÂÂ0 to Canada, 2âÂÂ1 to El Salvador. Jamaica then beat Bermuda 3âÂÂ2 but did not qualify.
Under Brazilian Professor Renê Simões and National coach Carl Brown, Jamaica became a powerhouse in the Caribbean region and received the "Best Mover" award by FIFA in 1996.
Jamaica was the debut English-speaking Caribbean region country to qualify for the World Cup finals in 1998.