Haiti Secures Spot in 2026 World Cup
Haiti has officially secured their spot in the upcoming 2026 World Cup following a decisive 2-0 victory against Nicaragua on Tuesday evening. This remarkable achievement highlights a notable turnaround for the Haitian national team, which has not participated in a World Cup for over five decades, last appearing in 1974 in West Germany.
Coaching and Challenges
Currently led by French coach Sebastien Migne, who has yet to visit Haiti due to ongoing civil unrest and safety concerns, the team is playing its home games 500 miles away in Curacao. Migne expressed his inability to travel to Haiti, stating in an interview with France Football that the conditions are too hazardous for him to visit.
“It’s impossible [to visit] because it’s too dangerous. I usually live in the countries where I work, but I can’t here. There are no more international flights landing there,”
he remarked.
Unexpected Success
Haiti’s successful qualifying journey was unexpected, as they overcame stronger competitors including Honduras and Costa Rica in Group C. The team is bolstered by an entirely foreign-based squad, with standout performances coming from players like midfield dynamo Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, who plays for Wolves.
Future Aspirations
As they look forward to their World Cup debut, there is interest in adding Wilson Isidor, a striker from Sunderland, to the lineup. Isidor conveyed his aspirations of representing Haiti in the tournament while also considering his ties to the French national team, where he is familiar with many players.
“I would like to set myself the goal of going to the World Cup; it will always remain a dream. I have two options: France and Haiti. Haiti has already approached me, but I haven’t made a decision yet. I’m currently focused on my club,”
Isidor shared with L’Equipe.
Ongoing Challenges
Travel advisories remain in place against visiting Haiti due to ongoing violence and unrest that has persisted since the devastating earthquake in 2010. Despite this, the Haitian team’s journey to the World Cup continues to inspire hope and synergy among their supporters and players alike.
