The Reggae Boyz needed a win against Curacao, but they could only draw 0-0 at Jamaica's National Stadium.

It means Curacao have become the smallest nation ever to qualify for the football World Cup, but Jamaica won't be in Mexico, Canada and the United States next year.

Former England boss McClaren resigned after failing to inspire the team to victory, saying: "Over the last 18 months I have given everything I have to this job. "Leading this team has been one of the greatest honors of my career.

"But football is a results business and tonight we have fallen short of our goal, which was to qualify from this group."

McClaren has now called for someone with a "fresh voice, new energy and a different perspective" to take on the job and move the team forward.

He added: "It is the responsibility of the leader to step forward, take accountability and make decisions in the best interests of the team.

"After deep reflection and an honest assessment of where we are and where we need to go, I have decided to step down as head coach of the Jamaican national team.

"Sometimes the best thing a leader can do is to recognize when a fresh voice, new energy and a different perspective is required to move this team forward."

Curacao boss Dick Advocaat missed the match due to personal reasons, but he will become the oldest football coach ever at the World Cup next year.

He will be 78, seven years older than Otto Rehhagel was when he led Greece to the 2010 tournament aged 71.