World Cup Preview: Haiti

Haiti enter the tournament looking to pull off one of the greatest underdog stories in football history as they return to the world stage for the first time since 1974. The Grenadiers have captured the hearts of neutrals everywhere after a deeply inspiring and courageous qualification campaign played entirely in exile due to civil unrest back home. Despite being heavy outsiders, expectations among their incredibly passionate, global diaspora are simply for the team to play with pride and showcase the resilient spirit of their nation.

Fixtures (UK time)

Scotland, June 14, 2am
Brazil, June 20, 1:30am
Morocco, June 24, 11pm

How They Qualified

Haiti defied immense political instability at home to execute a flawless, highly emotional qualification route. Forced to play all of their home fixtures in Curacao, they rallied spectacularly to finish second behind Curacao in the second round before defeating Costa Rica and Nicaragua in the final round to secure their historic ticket to North America.

The Manager

Sébastien Migne has become a hero for the national team after taking the reins in June 2024 and instantly instilling a rigid, highly disciplined tactical identity. Migne favours a compact low-block system that prioritises defensive solidity and rapid transitions on the counter-attack. Despite working under incredibly difficult operational constraints, his clear communication and tactical masterclasses have earned him the absolute trust and adoration of the players and fans alike.

The Star

Duckens Nazon is the undisputed talisman for his country, carrying the primary goalscoring burden for this historic campaign. The veteran forward’s physical presence and hold-up play, and clinical finishing inside the box will be the focal point of the Haitian attack as he looks to lead the line against world-class defences. He’ll be looking to add to his 44 goals in a Haiti shirt.

The Familiar Face

French-born Wilson Isidor made 32 Premier League appearances and scored six times last season to help overachievers Sunderland qualify for the Europa League. At 25, the dynamic attacker brings invaluable top-tier tournament experience, versatility, and a dangerous directness that will be vital for unlocking opposition full-backs on the counter.

Did you know?

In one of the most remarkable anomalies in international football, Haiti’s manager Sebastien Migne has never set foot in Haiti. Due to the severe ongoing domestic conflicts and a complete lack of international flights landing in the country, Migne has had to manage his squad, hold training camps, and execute their entire World Cup journey completely in exile.

The Prediction

Group Stage

Haiti’s return to the tournament is a truly magnificent human triumph, but the draw has been incredibly unkind to the Caribbean nation. Trapped in a brutal Group C alongside heavyweights Brazil, a technical Morocco side, and a gritty Scotland team, their defensive resilience will be tested to the absolute limit, meaning a Group Stage exit is almost certainly their final destination.

Cover Photo: FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw Reception” by UKinUSA is licensed under CC BY SA 4.0 .