Haiti are returning to the World Cup for the first time in 52 years, marking only their second appearance at the tournament. Despite producing several talented generations over the decades, the country had been unable to reach the global stage until now. Qualification was no easy task for "Les Grenadiers," but they overcame tough opponents in the CONCACAF third round, finishing top of a group that included Costa Rica and Honduras.
Haiti will rely heavily on foreign-based players for this campaign. Sunderland forward Wilson Isidor is one of the names to watch. Isidor completed his nationality switch earlier this year, and following FIFA's approval, he made his first two appearances for Haiti in March against Tunisia and Iceland, finding the net in the latter match. Jean-Ricner Bellegarde is another player capable of making an impact. He already has eight caps for Haiti and was part of the qualification campaign.
The squad also features a couple of new faces. Midfielder Dominique Simon and forward Lenny Joseph have both earned their first senior call-ups, with the latter long on the Haitian Football Federation's radar. Woodensky Pierre is the only player from the domestic Haitian league included in the squad. Experience will also be key, with the likes of Jhonny Placide, Ricardo Adé, Duckens Nazon, and Frantzdy Pierrot bringing seasoned presence to the group.
Haiti will hope to better their 1974 World Cup outing, though the task ahead is a daunting one. They have been drawn into Group C alongside Brazil, Morocco, and Scotland, and will open their campaign against Scotland on June 13th at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Haiti 2026 World Cup Squad:
Goalkeepers: Johnny Placide (Bastia), Alexandre Pierre (Sochaux), Josué Duverger (FC Cosmos Koblenz)
Defenders: Carlens Arcus (Angers), Wilguens Pauguain (Zulte Waregem), Duke Lacroix (Colorado Springs), Martin Expérience (Nancy), Jean-Kévin Duverne (KAA Gent), Ricardo Adé (LDU Quito), Hannes Delcroix (Lugano), Keeto Thermoncy (Young Boys Berne)
Midfielders: Leverton Pierre (Vizela), Carl-Fred Sainthé (El Paso Locomotive), Jean-Jacques Danley (Philadelphia Union), Jean-Ricner Bellegarde (Wolves), Pierre Woodenski (Violette), Dominique Simon (Tatran Presov)
Forwards: Louicius Deedson (Dallas), Ruben Providence (Almere City), Josué Casimir (Auxerre), Derrick Etienne (Toronto), Wilson Isidor (Sunderland), Duckens Nazon (Esteghlal), Frantzdy Pierrot (Caykur Rizespor), Yassin Fortune (Vizela), Lenny Joseph (Ferencvaros).
