Haiti FIFA World Cup 2026 preview: Player to watch out for, Tactics, Predicted game XI

Not a single member of the current Haitian squad was alive the last time the North American team played the FIFA World Cup.

Haiti’s first and only appearance in the tournament was in 1974, when it lost all three group stage matches.

Almost half a century later, Haiti will once again enjoy the radiant sunshine of the World Cup. The Grenadiers earned their spot by topping the North American third round qualifying group, overcoming the established hands of Costa Rica, Honduras and Nicaragua.

Haiti managed this stunning qualifying run despite not playing a single match on its home turf – a shortcoming caused by the political violence and civil unrest that has become second nature for the tiny island nation for more than a decade.

So the team’s success at the World Cup would undoubtedly be a balm of relief for a country that has had little to celebrate.

It goes without saying that Haiti, ranked only 83rd in the world, will have to punch well above its weight if it wants to make a mark at the World Cup.

Haiti will take a lot of confidence from their dominant 4-0 win against New Zealand in a pre-tournament friendly.

In midfielder Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and striker Wilson Isidor – both of whom have switched their international allegiances from France in the past year – Haiti has two players with credible Premier League experience.

Add to that the goal-scoring prowess of Ducken’s Nazon and the experience of shot-stopper Johny Placide and Haiti may have the tools to compete.

In 1974, despite a scoreless end to the World Cup, Haiti experienced a memorable moment, one that has become part of the country’s folklore.

Haiti took an unlikely lead against Italy, thanks to a clinical finish from striker Emmanuel Sanon. Before his goal, the Italian defense, held together by legendary goalkeeper Dino Zoff, had not conceded a goal in 1,143 minutes (19 games).

Italy recovered and won the match, but Sanon’s attack lived on as a mythical monument. In 2026, Haiti has the chance to add a companion piece to its football mantle and put an end to Sanon’s loneliness there.

Player to watch out for

Ducken’s Nazon: In 2016, Duckens Nazon had a brief stint with Indian Super League side Kerala Blasters. Ten years later, he enters the World Cup as Haiti’s all-time top scorer. Nazon looks to become the second Haitian to score at the World Cup, after Sanon, who found the net twice in 1974.

COACH

There may be more leading coaches at the 2026 World Cup than Sebastien Migne. But it is unlikely that any of them overcame adversity more strongly than the Frenchman.

Migne, who has coached extensively in Africa, took charge of Haiti in 2024. Despite playing with the team for two years, he has never visited the country. All his work, which led to a historic World Cup qualification, was done in exile.

But at the World Cup, Migne and his men will be pushed to the limit. However, spirit can only take them so far.

TEAM

• Goalkeepers: Johny Placide, Alexandre Pierre, Josué Duverger.
• Defenders: Carlens Arcus, Wilguens Paugain, Ricardo Adé, Jean-Kévin Duverne, Hannes Delcroix, Keeto Thermoncy, Martin Expérience, Duke Lacroix.
• Midfielders: Josué Casimir, Leverton Pierre, Dominique Simon, Woodensky Pierre, Carl Fred Sainté, Danley Jean-Jacques, Jean Ricner Bellegarde.
• Forward: Duckens Nazon, Frantzdy Pierrot, Deedson Louicius, Ruben Providence, Yassin Fortuné, Wilson Isidor, Lenny Joseph, Derrick Etienne Jr.

Published on June 5, 2026