World Cup '98: Mexico Reaches Round Of 16; Jamaica Gets First Win; USA Finishes Last

By Steven Torres - ANCCIF President   (Posted on  18 June 2026)

The 1998 FIFA World Cup in France featured an expanded field of 32 teams for the first time since 1982. This expansion allowed a record three Concacaf nations to qualify: Mexico, USA, and tournament newcomers Jamaica. However, the three regional representatives experienced vastly different fortunes, with only one advancing to the knockout stage.

Jamaica: A Historic Debut and First Victory

After a grueling two-year qualification process, Jamaica played more matches than either Mexico or USA to secure its first-ever World Cup berth. In doing so, becoming the first English-speaking Caribbean nation to reach the tournament.

Led by Brazilian coach René Simões, the Reggae Boyz were placed in Group H alongside fellow debutants Croatia and Japan, as well as two-time champions Argentina.

• Jamaica 1:3 Croatia (14 June, Lens): This opener at Stade Félix-Bollaert made history as the first World Cup match between two tournament debutants since 1974. Mario Stanić gave Croatia the lead in the 27th minute, but Robbie Earle equalized for Jamaica just before halftime. Croatia pulled away in the second half with goals from Robert Prosinečki (53’) and Davor Šuker (69’) to finish 3:1.

• Argentina 5:0 Jamaica (21 June, Paris): A dominant Argentina overwhelmed Jamaica. Ariel Ortega scored twice (31’, 55’) and Gabriel Batistuta netted a second-half hat-trick (73’, 78’, 83’ pen) in front of 45,500 fans at Parc des Prince.

• Jamaica 2:1 Japan (26 June, Lyon): Already eliminated, Jamaica faced Japan in a battle for pride at Stade Gerland. Theodore Whitmore scored in both halves (39’, 54’) to secure a historic 2:1 win, despite a late Japanese goal from Masashi Nakayama (74’). This marked the first World Cup victory by a Caribbean nation in 60 years.

USA: Tactical Missteps and a Last-Place Finish

Hoping to build on the success of hosting the 1994 tournament and the launch of Major League Soccer, the USA entered Group F alongside Germany, Iran, and Yugoslavia. The team was led by Steve Sampson, the first USA native to coach the national team at a World Cup.

• Germany 2:0 USA (15 June, Paris): Deploying a highly criticized 3-6-1 formation, the USA struggled against Germany at Parc de Princes. Goals from Andreas Möller (9’) and Jürgen Klinsmann (65’) handed the Germans a comfortable 2:0 win.

• Iran 2:1 USA (21 June, Lyon): In a politically charged encounter at Stade de Gerland, Iran took a 1:0 halftime lead via Hamid Estili (40’). Despite heavy USA pressure, Iranian goalkeeper Ahmad Abedzadeh made several crucial saves. Mehdi Mahdavikia doubled Iran's lead on an 84th-minute counterattack. Brian McBride pulled one back with an 87th-minute header, but Iran held on for a historic victory.

• Yugoslavia 1:0 USA (25 June, Nantes): Mathematically eliminated, the USA faced Yugoslavia. In a historical nod, many viewed this as the match that never happened in 1930, when both teams lost in the semifinals but never played a third-place game. Goalkeeper Brad Friedel made his first start of the tournament, parrying a fierce fourth-minute free kick from Siniša Mihajlović. However, Slobodan Komljenović headed in the rebound to score the only goal of the match at Stade de la Beaujoire.

With three consecutive losses, the USA finished bottom of Group F and dead last out of all 32 teams in the tournament standings.

Mexico: The Comeback Kings Reach the Knockout Stage

Former Mexican international Manuel Lapuente managed El Tri as they targeted a third consecutive trip to the knockout rounds. They were placed in Group E with the Netherlands, South Korea, and Belgium. 

• Mexico 3:1 South Korea (13 June, Lyon): Despite trailing at halftime to a Ha Seok-ju goal (27’), Mexico roared back at Stade de Gerland. Ricardo Peláez equalized in the 50th minute, and Luis Hernández scored a quick brace (75’, 84’) late in the game to secure a 3:1 victory. 

• Mexico 2:2 Belgium (20 June, Bordeaux): Mexico had beaten Belgium in both the 1970 and 1986 World Cups but fell behind 2:0 after a first-half tallies from Marc Wilmots. El Tri mounted another comeback, splitting the points thanks to an Alberto García Aspe penalty (55’) and a strike from Cuauhtémoc Blanco (62’). 

• Mexico 2:2 Netherlands (25 June, Saint-Étienne): Needing a result to advance, Mexico once again fell behind early to Dutch goals from Phillip Cocu (4’) and Ronald de Boer (18’) at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard. Peláez gave Mexico hope in the 75th minute, and Hernández scored a dramatic equalizer four minutes into stoppage time to send Mexico through to the Round of 16.

• Round of 16: Germany 2:1 Mexico (29 June, Montpellier): Mexico’s run ended against Germany at Stade de la Mosson. Luis Hernández scored early in the second half to give El Tri the lead, but Germany struck twice in the final 16 minutes through Jürgen Klinsmann (74’) and Oliver Bierhoff (86’) to eliminate the final Concacaf team.

Tournament Epilogue

The 1998 World Cup concluded on 12 July at Saint-Denis’ Stade de France, where hosts France defeated defending champions Brazil 3:0 to lift the trophy for the first time. France became the sixth host nation in history to win the tournament, and the first to do so since Argentina in 1978.

1998 World Cup

Jamaica Roster

GK: Warren Barrett (Violet Kickers FC), Aaron Lawrence (FC Reno), Donovan Ricketts (Wadadah FC);

DF: Durrant Brown (Wadadah FC), Linval Dixon (Hazard United FC), Ricardo Gardner (Harbour View FC), Ian Goodison (Olympic Gardens FC), Stephen Malcolm (Seba United FC), Dean Sewell (Constant Spring FC), Frank Sinclair (Chelsea FC/ENG);

MD: Peter Cargill (Harbour View FC), Chris Dawes (Galaxy FC), Robbie Earle (Wimbledon FC/ENG), Darryl Powell (Derby County FC), Fitzroy Simpson (Portsmouth FC/ENG), Theodore Whitmore (Seba United FC);

AT: Walter Boyd (Arnett Gardens FC), Deon Burton — Derby County/ENG), Marcus Gayle (Wimbledon FC/ENG), Paul Hall (Portsmouth FC/ENG), Onandi Lowe (Waterhouse FC), Andy Williams (Columbus Crew/USA).

TD: Renê Simões (BRA)

Mexico Roster

GK: Jorge Campos (Chicago Fire/USA), Óscar Pérez (CD SC Cruz Azul), Oswaldo Sánchez (Club América);

DF: Salvador Carmona (CD Toluca), Duilio Davino (Club América), Joel Sánchez (CD Guadalajara), Claudio Suárez (CD Guadalajara), Isaac Terrazas (Club América);

MD: Jesús Arellano (CD Guadalajara), Marcelino Bernal (CF Monterrey), Alberto García Aspe (Club América), Raúl Lara (Club América), Braulio Luna (Pumas UNAM), Pável Pardo (Atlas FC), Ramón Ramírez (CD Guadalajara), Jaime Ordiales (CD Toluca), Germán Villa (Club América);

AT: Cuauhtémoc Blanco (CID Necaxa), Luis García (Atlante FC), Luis Hernández (CID Necaxa), Francisco Palencia (CD SC Cruz Azul), Ricardo Peláez (Club América).

TD: Manuel Lapuente (MEX)

USA Roster

GK: Brad Friedel (Liverpool FC/ENG), Kasey Keller — Leicester City FC/ENG), Juergen Sommer (Columbus Crew);

DF: Jeff Agoos — D.C. United), Marcelo Balboa (Colorado Rapids), Mike Burns (New England Revolution), Frankie Hejduk (Tampa Bay Mutiny), Alexi Lalas — (NY/NJ MetroStars), Eddie Pope (D.C. United), David Regis (Karlsruher SC/GER);

MD: Chad Deering (VfL Wolfsburg/GER), Thomas Dooley (Columbus Crew), Cobi Jones (Los Angeles Galaxy), Brian Maisonneuve (Columbus Crew), Predrag Radosavljević (Kansas City Wizards), Tab Ramos (NY/NJ MetroStars), Claudio Reyna (VfL Wolfsburg/GER), Earnie Stewart (NAC Breda/NED)

AT: Brian McBride (Columbus Crew), Joe-Max Moore (New England Revolution), Eric Wynalda (San Jose Clash), Roy Wegerle (Tampa Bay Mutiny).

TD: Steve Sampson (USA)

Editor’s Note: Acknowledgement to ANCCIF North Zone Board Member – Marcelo Assaf (Mexico)  for his assistance on this article