Suggestion
Suggestion
The black, green, and gold. The Reggae Boyz. France '98. When Jamaica qualified for their first and only World Cup, the entire Caribbean celebrated. Prime Minister P.J. Patterson declared a national holiday. Theodore Whitmore's two goals against Japan gave Jamaica their sole World Cup victory. That moment, that team, that unforgettable journey—it's all captured in Jamaica's iconic football shirts.
Our Jamaica collection features current Adidas kits in the distinctive diagonal cross design, retro editions from the legendary 1998 squad, and training gear worn by the heroes of "The Office"—Independence Park, one of CONCACAF's most feared home venues. Rep the Reggae Boyz with authentic Jamaican football shirts that celebrate Caribbean football history.
Filters
Sort by
November 16, 1997. Kingston's National Stadium, affectionately known as "The Office." Thirty-five thousand Jamaicans packed into every corner, voices united in nervous prayer. Mexico stood between Jamaica and history. A draw would do it. A draw would send this small island nation—population under three million—to the FIFA World Cup for the first time ever.
When the final whistle blew on a 0-0 result, the impossible became real. The pitch was invaded. Theodore Whitmore sprinted across the field with the Jamaican flag held aloft. BBC correspondent Garth Crooks, whose parents were Jamaican, admitted through tears: "I've covered a lot of football, but I've never seen anything like this." Prime Minister P.J. Patterson declared the next day a national holiday, calling it "undoubtedly the greatest day in our sporting history." The Reggae Boyz were going to France.
Jamaica's flag is one of only two national flags worldwide that features no red, white, or blue (Mauritania being the other). The distinctive diagonal gold cross—called a saltire—divides the flag into four triangles: green top and bottom, black on the sides. Originally, these colors represented the sun (gold), the land (green), and hardships overcome (black). In 1996, the meanings evolved to something more empowering: gold for natural wealth and sunshine, green for hope and lush vegetation, black for the strength and creativity of the Jamaican people.
The motto became: "The sun shineth, the land is green, and the people are strong and creative."
That's what you see in every Jamaican football shirt—a nation's identity woven into fabric. The diagonal cross isn't just distinctive design; it's a declaration that Jamaica charts its own path.
Jamaica's football journey began after independence from the United Kingdom in 1962. For decades, they struggled to compete even within the Caribbean, let alone CONCACAF's giants—the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica. Failed qualification campaigns in the 1970s and 80s left Jamaica in football's shadows, overshadowed by the island's dominance in athletics and cricket.
Everything changed in 1994 when the Jamaican Football Federation hired Brazilian coach René Simões. His vision was bold: scout players of Jamaican heritage who'd grown up in England, combining them with homegrown talents to create something special. Enter the "UB40s"—a playful nickname (after the British reggae band) for British-born players like Robbie Earle, Deon Burton, Paul Hall, and Fitzroy Simpson who embraced their parents' homeland.
The strategy worked. Jamaica was named FIFA's "Best Mover" in 1996 as results improved. Independence Park became a fortress. During the final qualifying round—"The Hex"—Jamaica opened with a disappointing 0-0 home draw against the USA, then suffered a crushing 6-0 defeat at Mexico's Azteca Stadium. With just two points from four games, their World Cup dream looked dead.
Then came the resurrection. Three consecutive 1-0 home victories against El Salvador, Canada, and Costa Rica at "The Office" kept hope alive. Road draws against the United States and El Salvador climbed them into third place. On that electric November evening against Mexico, Jamaica needed just one point. They got it. History was made.
Jamaica's World Cup group included Croatia, Argentina, and Japan. The opener against Croatia at Lens saw Robbie Earle score Jamaica's first-ever World Cup goal just before halftime, equalizing at 1-1. Croatia eventually won 3-1, but Jamaica had announced their arrival. Five days later, Argentina—featuring a young Juan Sebastián Verón and Ariel Ortega—demolished Jamaica 5-0, effectively ending their tournament.
The final match against Japan offered redemption. Theodore Whitmore—the Montego Bay-born midfielder who'd started everything by scoring in that very first qualifier against Suriname back in March 1996—delivered two goals in Lyon. Jamaica won 2-1, becoming only the second Caribbean nation (after Haiti in 1974) to win a World Cup match. The Reggae Boyz returned home as heroes not just for Jamaica, but for the entire Caribbean.
Theodore Whitmore is synonymous with Jamaican football. With 124 caps and 24 goals, he's the heartbeat of the 1998 team. His two goals against Japan remain Jamaica's only World Cup strikes. After retirement, "Tappa" (his nickname) became Jamaica's coach, leading them to back-to-back Gold Cup finals in 2015 and 2017 and winning the 2008 and 2010 Caribbean Cups—becoming the first person to win that tournament as both player and coach.
Warren Barrett captained the 1998 squad and remains one of Jamaica's greatest goalkeepers with 108 caps. His performance in the 0-0 draw with Brazil at the 1998 Gold Cup showcased his class. Barrett's distinctive colorful goalkeeper jersey from France '98 became iconic.
Robbie Earle scored Jamaica's historic first World Cup goal and brought Premier League experience from his 200+ games with Wimbledon. Born in Newcastle-under-Lyme, England, Earle dedicated his World Cup moment to his Jamaican parents: "Jamaica is a home that until a year ago I never really knew I had."
Deon Burton was the face of the campaign, scoring crucial goals including winners against Canada and Costa Rica that kept qualification alive. His 100+ career goals across English football made him a dual-nation icon.
Ricardo Gardner spent over a decade at Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League, becoming a fan favorite with his versatility and dynamic play as both defender and midfielder.
Jamaica's current kits are manufactured by Adidas (since 2023), following previous partnerships with Umbro, Romai Sports, Kappa, Uhlsport, and Lanzera. The iconic diagonal cross design remains constant—it's untouchable, sacred.
Official Home Shirts feature the classic black, green, and gold in Adidas' latest designs. Modern performance fabrics with moisture-wicking technology keep you comfortable whether you're playing or supporting, while the distinctive saltire cross ensures these shirts are unmistakably Jamaican. Available in authentic match versions (as worn by the players) and replica editions (looser fit for everyday wear).
Away & Third Kits offer alternative colorways—often featuring inverted color schemes or contemporary takes on the national colors—perfect for those wanting something different while still representing the Reggae Boyz. These typically feature white or black as the primary color with gold and green accents.
Retro & Heritage Shirts are the crown jewels for collectors. Original or faithfully recreated designs from the legendary France '98 campaign capture that golden era when Jamaica shocked the world. These vintage styles with period-authentic badges and sponsor logos are increasingly sought-after pieces of Caribbean football history.
Training & Pre-Match Wear includes the gear worn by players during warm-ups and training sessions—polo shirts, training jerseys, tracksuit tops, and presentation jackets. These pieces let you dress like the squad while offering versatile options for casual wear beyond match days.
Customization Options allow you to add player names and numbers in official font styles. Honor legends like Whitmore #10, Barrett #1, or Earle #8 from the '98 squad, or current stars leading Jamaica's next generation. We can also add your own name and number to make your shirt truly personal.
Women's & Youth Sizes ensure the whole family can support the Reggae Boyz. Jamaica's football culture spans generations, and our range reflects that with sizing from kids through adults.
For Jamaica's massive global diaspora—in London, New York, Toronto, Miami—wearing the Reggae Boyz shirt is wearing home. It's a connection to an island where football, music, and culture intertwine. The shirts represent more than sport; they're cultural artifacts from the moment Jamaica proved small nations can dream big and make those dreams reality.
The 1998 team showed that with belief, hunger, and unity, impossibilities become possibilities. They transformed Jamaica's football identity, turning "The Office" into a feared venue and establishing the Reggae Boyz as Caribbean giants. Every shirt carries that legacy—the sprint with the flag, the tears of joy, the national holiday, the moment an entire island and its diaspora celebrated together.
When you wear Jamaican black, green, and gold, you're wearing that November night in Kingston. You're wearing Theodore Whitmore's goals in Lyon. You're wearing the spirit of a people who are strong, creative, and refuse to be counted out.
