Haiti are returning to the World Cup after a 52-year absence, although they have played all their qualifying matches on neutral grounds due to the country’s gang violence and face big challenges in a group that includes five-time champions Brazil, Morocco and Scotland.
The Caribbean selection, known as “Les Grenadiers”, is appearing at the World Championship in men’s competition for only the second time in history, after the first participation in 1974.
Then Haiti finished the competition in the group stage, but made a mark when Emmanuel Sanon scored against Italy to end goalkeeper Dino Zoff’s record of 1,142 minutes without conceding a goal.
Return to the World Cup
In this year’s tournament, Haiti is an outsider in Group C, but their placement is a great satisfaction for fans in a country affected by a humanitarian and security crisis.
– We were not afraid of anyone. We come humble, but also proud because we are Haitians – said forward Duckens Nazon, the record holder for the number of goals for the national team.
During the qualifiers, Haiti played all its home games on neutral grounds, mostly in Curacao, as it has not played a home game since 2021 due to gang violence following the assassination of President Jovenel Moise.
In March 2024, armed gangs took control of the Stade Sylvio Cator national stadium.
The team and the challenges
Haiti’s coach, Frenchman Sebastien Migne, has never set foot in the country, but has worked to strengthen the squad by including players from the diaspora.
Striker Nazon, who plays for Iranian club Esteghlal, survived a dramatic escape from Tehran during the year on the day the US and Israel began bombing.
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde from Wolverhampton Wanderers stands out in the midfield, while captain and goalkeeper Johny Placide is an experienced goalkeeper from Bastia, France.
Haiti finished the qualifiers in first place in the CONCACAF group, ahead of Honduras, Costa Rica and Nicaragua, thereby securing a historic place at the World Cup.
(Vijesti.ba)
Chat readers
Join the discussion