MONTERREY, Mexico, March 27, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Bolivia and Jamaica moved to within one win of returning to the World Cup after decades-long absences on Thursday after securing opening victories in FIFA's intercontinental playoff tournament in Mexico.

Bolivia, chasing their first World Cup appearance since the 1994 finals in the United States, came from behind to defeat Suriname 2-1 in Monterrey.

The South Americans' victory sends them into a winner-takes-all playoff against Iraq next Tuesday, with the victor advancing to a World Cup group of death alongside France, Norway and Senegal.

Jamaica, who are aiming to qualify for the World Cup for only the second time in history following a lone appearance at the 1998 finals in France, defeated New Caledonia 1-0 in Thursday's other game in Guadalajara.

The Reggae Boyz will now play the Democratic Republic of Congo next Tuesday for the right to a berth in World Cup K alongside Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan.

Jamaica, whose squad is drawn largely from the lower divisions of English football, will head into their clash with Congo knowing that they will need an improved performance to punch their ticket to the World Cup after a laboured win over New Caledonia, the tiny French territory in the South Pacific.

Despite dominating possession and territory for long periods at the Estadio Akron near Guadalajara, Jamaica struggled to create clear-cut chances.

The only goal of a drab encounter came when Wrexham forward Bailey-Tye Cadamarteri bundled in a close-range rebound after New Caledonia goalkeeper Rocky Nyikeine could only parry a well-struck free-kick from Ronaldo Webster in the 18th minute.

- Bolivia fight back -

Bolivia produced a second-half fightback to shatter Suriname's unlikely dream of World Cup qualification.

A 79th-minute penalty from Santos striker Miguel Terceros following an equalizer from teenage substitute Moises Paniagua gave Bolivia victory.

Suriname, who had been bidding to become the lowest ranked team in history to qualify for the World Cup, took the lead in the 48th minute when Liam van Gelderen bundled home at Monterrey's BBVA Stadium.

That goal looked like being enough to secure victory for the former Dutch colony, who are ranked 123rd in the world and made up mostly of players from the Netherlands of Surinamese descent.

But Bolivia began to dominate as the second half drew on and were thrown a lifeline when the 18-year-old Paniagua's low shot made it 1-1 after 72 minutes.

Six minutes later an adventurous burst down the right flank from Bolivia fullback Diego Medina sowed panic in the Suriname defense.

Medina's low cross found substitute Juan Sinforiano Godoy, who was tripped by Suriname defender Myenty Abena.

Australian referee Alireza Faghani pointed to the spot and after a brief delay, Terceros stepped up to drill in the spot kick and make it 2-1.

It marked another heroic moment in Bolivia's World Cup qualifying campaign for the 21-year-old striker.

Terceros also scored the goal in a 1-0 win over Brazil that saw them squeeze into this week's playoffs.