Overview:
Simply 5 days earlier than Haiti enters the subsequent spherical of its FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying marketing campaign, solely 11 gamers from a 24-man roster have proven up at a coaching camp in Barbados, highlighting the workforce’s administrative struggles.
CAP-HAITIEN— As of June 1, the Haiti Males’s Nationwide Soccer Group ought to have been in full swing, making ready for the subsequent stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying marketing campaign, which begins in 5 days. Nevertheless, solely 11 out of a 24-man roster have arrived in Barbados for a coaching camp forward of the workforce’s first two matches. Whereas that is considerably stunning for some, it’s anticipated by many, given the Haitian Soccer Federation’s (FHF) historical past of poor administration.
“This doesn’t shock us,” mentioned Sports activities Analyst Shellena Augustin. “When it comes to preparation, this committee has scored zero factors. This isn’t a great search for the nation or individuals concerned in sports activities. It’s like we’re forcing ourselves to play soccer. Persons are not going to take us severely. This doesn’t please us.”
To make issues worse, the gamers can have restricted coaching time below the brand new head coach, Frenchman Sébastien Migné, who was appointed on March 10. Migné’s solely sport with the workforce was a warm-up match in opposition to French Guiana on March 23, which led to a 1-1 draw.
Les Grenadiers will kick off their World Cup Qualifying marketing campaign with a house sport at Wildey Turf in Barbados in opposition to Saint Lucia on June 6. As a result of ongoing gang violence in Port-au-Prince, the workforce is taking part in its house video games away from its Sylvio Cator Stadium. After going through Saint Lucia, Haiti will play Barbados in an away match nonetheless at Wildey Turf on June 9.
The Concacaf qualifiers consist of 5 teams of 5. The highest two groups from every group advance to the subsequent spherical of three teams of 4. From that final spherical of video games, the winner of every group will qualify straight for the FIFA World Cup 2026, becoming a member of hosts Canada, Mexico and america.
Haiti’s soccer workforce has lengthy struggled with administrative points, mirroring the nation’s broader challenges. Through the years, gamers have missed video games resulting from points resembling not having visas or failing to fulfill COVID-19 protocols. In 2021, Haiti even began an Olympic qualifying sport in opposition to Honduras with 10 players as a result of the remainder of the squad arrived too late to take the required COVID-19 take a look at earlier than the match.
“A reform is required. In something associated to sports activities within the nation, persons are less than par. All of the individuals who’ve been right here for some time, take them out. Change issues round.”
Sports activities Analyst Shellena Augustin
Extra lately, on Might 29, FHF canceled the ladies’s soccer workforce’s two pleasant video games in opposition to Ecuador as a result of some delegation members didn’t have visas.
“A communication error is on the foundation of this cancellation as a result of the preliminary info urged that these members wouldn’t want entry visas to this South American nation, but it surely turned out that it was obligatory,” FHF said in a note.
FHF officers have but to touch upon the 13 gamers from the 24-man roster nonetheless lacking in Barbados and didn’t reply to The Haitian Occasions’ interview request.
As a result of these fixed administrative errors, Augustin mentioned a change is desperately wanted in FHF’s management. FHF has been led by a normalization committee since 2020 after its former president, Yves ‘Dadou’ Jean-Bart and different ex-members had been banned by the Worldwide Federation of Soccer Affiliation (FIFA) for being accused of sexually abusing gamers.
“A reform is required,” Augustin mentioned. “In something associated to sports activities within the nation, persons are less than par. All of the individuals who’ve been right here for some time, take them out. Change issues round.”
Three gamers initially made it to Barbados on Might 27: ahead Mondy Prunier, fullback Markhus “Duke” Lacroix, central midfielder Belmar Joseph Junior, and defensive midfielder Leverton Pierre. Ahead Bryan Labissiere and defender Francois Ulysse joined on Might 29. On Might 30, goalkeeper and captain Johny Placide and defender Jean Kevin Duverne landed in Barbados. Goalkeeper Alexandre Pierre and fullbacks Carlens Arcus and Stephane Lambese arrived on Might 31, in accordance with FHF’s social media pages
Some gamers had essential video games with their golf equipment lately, which may clarify their absence, resembling midfielder Danley Jean-Jacques, who performed a relegation playoff match for French membership F.C. Metz on Might 30. Nevertheless, many different gamers had been obtainable or didn’t have necessary membership commitments final week.
Two gamers from the native league have been chosen to participate within the qualifiers: newly topped champions Real Hope Football Academy goalkeeper Gooly Elien and defensive midfielder Olivier Woodensky Pierre. It’s nonetheless unknown if they are going to make it to Barbados.
In March, six native gamers had been additionally referred to as as much as play in Haiti’s pleasant sport in opposition to French Guiana however couldn’t make the journey as a result of suspension of all worldwide industrial flights in Haiti brought on by gang violence.
Pierre, a 19-year-old representing Haiti on the youth degree, acquired his first name for the senior aspect. The Cité Soleil native hopes that administrative or safety points gained’t stop him from realizing his dream of taking part in for the senior workforce.
“I used to be so completely happy that I couldn’t sleep,” Pierre mentioned in regards to the evening he noticed that he made the roster. “I’m ready to see how issues will unfold. I wish to see what my functionality will deliver to the workforce.”