Jamaica vs DR Congo World Cup Playoff 2026: Start Time, TV Channel & How to Watch
One match. One ticket. Two nations chasing history.
Jamaica and DR Congo meet at the Estadio Akron in Guadalajara tonight for a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. Jamaica last played at a World Cup in 1998. DR Congo last played at a World Cup in 1974 as Zaire. One of those long waits ends tonight.
Below you will find the start time in your time zone, every TV channel and live stream option, venue details, what is at stake, team news and our final prediction.
Quick Match Facts:
| Competition | FIFA Intercontinental Playoff Final – Pathway 1 |
| Match | Jamaica vs DR Congo |
| Date | Tuesday, March 31, 2026 |
| Kick-off | 5:00 PM ET / 9:00 PM GMT |
| Venue | Estadio Akron, Zapopan, Guadalajara, Mexico |
| What’s at Stake | Final spot in Group K with Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan |
What Time Does Jamaica vs DR Congo Kick Off?
Kick-off is set for 5:00 PM ET on Tuesday March 31. Here is how that looks for fans in key markets:
| Time Zone | Kick-off Time |
|---|---|
| Eastern Time – USA (ET) | 5:00 PM |
| Central Time – USA (CT) | 4:00 PM |
| Pacific Time – USA (PT) | 2:00 PM |
| Eastern Time – Canada (ET) | 5:00 PM |
| GMT – United Kingdom | 9:00 PM |
| Local Time – Mexico (CST) | 4:00 PM |
| CET – Europe | 10:00 PM |
| AEST – Australia | 7:00 AM (Apr 1) |
The match runs 90 minutes. Extra time would push the final whistle to around 11:00 PM GMT. Penalties could follow after that.
Where to Watch Jamaica vs DR Congo on TV
United States
- FS1 – Confirmed TV broadcast
- Fubo TV – Live with a Fubo subscription
- ViX – Free with no subscription needed
- Peacock – Free Spanish-language coverage via Telemundo Deportes Ahora
United Kingdom
- FIFA+ – Free to watch with no subscription needed
Jamaica and Caribbean
- SportsMax – Regional broadcaster for Caribbean fans
DR Congo
- RTNC – National broadcaster
Rest of the World
- FIFA+ – Free in multiple countries worldwide
- This match is different from the UEFA playoff finals. FIFA+ streams it free globally with no account required in most countries
How to Live Stream Jamaica vs DR Congo Online
USA fans: Head to FS1 first. Stream live through the Fox Sports app or website with a cable login. Fubo TV subscribers can also catch the match on the Fubo app. ViX is completely free with no sign-up needed. Spanish speakers get a free stream on Peacock through Telemundo Deportes Ahora.
UK fans: Go straight to FIFA+. Stream this match completely free. No subscription. No payment. Just create a free account and hit play. This is different from the UEFA finals which required Amazon Prime Video at £2.49.
Caribbean fans: SportsMax carries the match across the Caribbean region. Check the SportsMax app or website for your local stream.
DR Congo fans: RTNC is the confirmed national broadcaster. Check their official website or app for the live stream.
Global fans: FIFA+ streams this match free worldwide. Fans in Africa, Europe, Asia and beyond can watch at no cost. This is the best free option for any fan without a local broadcaster.
Where is the Match Being Played?
The game takes place at Estadio Akron in Zapopan, Guadalajara, Mexico. This is a neutral venue for both teams. The stadium holds just under 50,000 fans and it will host four matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer. It is already set up and ready as a World Cup venue.
Jamaica played their semi-final win over New Caledonia at this same ground five days ago. The Reggae Boyz already know the pitch, the conditions and the surroundings. That small advantage could matter tonight.
What Is at Stake?
The winner earns the last available spot in Group K at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Group K already contains:
- Portugal
- Colombia
- Uzbekistan
Group K games take place across venues in the United States during the summer of 2026. Portugal and Colombia are two of the most exciting teams in world football right now. The winner tonight gets to face them on the biggest stage in the sport.
A win for Jamaica ends a 28-year absence since their only World Cup at France 1998. A win for DR Congo ends a 52-year absence since the 1974 tournament in West Germany when the country competed as Zaire.
Road to the Final
Jamaica beat New Caledonia 1-0 in the semi-final at the Estadio Akron on March 26. Bailey Cadamarteri of Wrexham scored the only goal in the 18th minute after New Caledonia goalkeeper Rocky Nyikeine parried a free-kick from Ronaldo Webster straight into his path. Goalkeeper Andre Blake made a crucial save in the 88th minute to secure the win. Jamaica did not play well. They struggled to create chances against a team ranked 150th in the world. The scoreline was the only thing that mattered.
DR Congo received a direct bye to this final as the highest-ranked team in Pathway 1. Their hard work came earlier in the African qualifying playoffs. They beat Cameroon 1-0 in the semi-final and then beat Nigeria on penalties in the final. Substitute goalkeeper Timothy Fayulu came on specifically for the shootout and saved two Nigerian penalties to send them through. DR Congo are fresher and have had more preparation time than Jamaica heading into tonight.
Key Players to Watch
Yoane Wissa (DR Congo)
The Newcastle United forward is DR Congo’s most dangerous attacking weapon. He missed months through injury but returned last week to score in a 2-0 win over Bermuda. He has scored in each of his last four appearances for DR Congo. Direct, fast and clinical in front of goal. Jamaica’s defence needs to track him all night.
Cedric Bakambu (DR Congo)
The Real Betis striker finished as DR Congo’s top scorer in qualifying with 4 goals. He has played at the highest levels of club football and knows how to find the net in tight games. Bakambu and Wissa together give DR Congo a forward line that few teams in this playoff can handle.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (DR Congo)
The West Ham right back brings serious top-flight experience to DR Congo’s defensive line. Physical, organised and hard to beat in one-on-one situations. He adds real quality to the right side of DR Congo’s shape.
Leon Bailey (Jamaica)
The Aston Villa winger is Jamaica’s most dangerous player and their biggest name. Pace and skill in abundance. Bailey has not scored for club or country since June 2025 though and that long run without a goal will hang over him tonight. Jamaica need him firing.
Bailey Cadamarteri (Jamaica)
The Wrexham striker scored the winner against New Caledonia and now has two goals in just five Jamaica caps. He plays well under pressure and carries real confidence going into tonight. He starts up front and Jamaica will look to him first for goals.
Head-to-Head History
Jamaica and DR Congo have never met before in any official match. Tonight is the first time these two nations have faced each other. There is no head-to-head record to look back on. Both teams go into this with no data on the other from past encounters.
Our Prediction
DR Congo are the stronger team on paper. Their squad carries far more European top-flight experience and their market value is more than double Jamaica’s. They also arrive tonight fresher having skipped the semi-final round entirely.
Jamaica showed good defensive shape against New Caledonia but found it very hard to create clear chances. DR Congo are a completely different level of opponent.
We back DR Congo to win and qualify for the World Cup tonight.
Our pick: Jamaica 0-2 DR Congo
Tonight one of the great World Cup absences ends. Jamaica have waited 28 years. DR Congo have waited 52. Ninety minutes to decide which story gets told this summer. Do not miss it.
