Overview:
Haiti’s males’s soccer crew will play one in all its most vital video games in a long time on Monday, Oct. 13—an away World Cup qualifier in opposition to Honduras. With 5 factors, tied with Honduras, Les Grenadiers lead Group C on aim distinction however face a decided Honduran facet looking for redemption after a scoreless draw with Costa Rica. Haiti should overcome the Central Individuals’ ambitions to take a decisive step towards qualifying for subsequent summer time’s international occasion.
Haiti will play one in all its most pivotal soccer video games in latest historical past on Monday evening, Oct. 13, when Les Grenadiers face Honduras away in a decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
The stakes couldn’t be greater. Each groups are unbeaten within the last spherical of Concacaf Group C, tied with 5 factors every. Haiti sits in first place on aim distinction after its 3–0 victory over Nicaragua final week, whereas Honduras trails carefully after a frustrating 0–0 draw with Costa Rica.
A win for Haiti would deliver the crew inside putting distance of its first World Cup berth since 1974. However in San Pedro Sula — one of the troublesome away venues within the area — the Grenadiers can’t afford complacency.
Few groups within the area are hungrier than Honduras proper now. Native media and followers labeled the crew’s efficiency in opposition to Costa Rica as “lackluster,” fueling a want to bounce again at residence.
“Honduras must play tougher, be extra aggressive, and play extra attacking-minded on Monday in opposition to Haiti,” former nationwide crew star Amado Guevara instructed La Prensa. “The targets that weren’t celebrated at present [Thursday, Oct. 9], we hope to rejoice them on Monday [Oct. 13].”
“It’s actually the sport. We’ve to depart the sphere with a draw a minimum of as a result of even when we tie, we are going to nonetheless be forward of Honduras.”
Kervens Mérisema, soccer analyst
Defensive midfielder Kervin Arriaga, who performs for Levante UD in Spain’s La Liga, echoed that sentiment. “We’ve to show the web page and attempt to flip this round on Monday,” Arriaga mentioned.
Honduras has but to concede a aim on this spherical of qualifying — the one one in all 4 groups within the group with an ideal defensive document. The Catrachos’ tall, bodily backline, led by Getsel Montes (6-foot-4) and Arriaga (6-foot-3), will problem Haiti’s aerial play and large crosses that had been so efficient in opposition to Nicaragua.
Haiti faces key absence, should keep targeted
For Haiti, the problem just isn’t solely the opponent but in addition the atmosphere. Monday’s sport might be performed in humid, high-pressure San Pedro Sula, the place visiting groups typically wrestle. Including to that issue, proper again Carlens Arcus will miss the match on account of yellow card accumulation.
Head coach Sébastien Migné might shift Jean-Kévin Duverne— usually a middle again — to cowl the fitting flank — a place he’s acquainted with — whereas newcomer Hannes Delcroix, an English Premier League defender for Burnley, might begin for his debut alongside captain Ricardo Adé in central protection.
“We all know it’s going to be exhausting,” Migné mentioned in an interview with the Haitian Soccer Federation (FHF) media team. “However the Haitian individuals should know that the boys will give all the pieces to deliver them nearer to a World Cup ticket.”
A match price greater than three factors, as Haiti wants focus after Thursday’s celebration in Nicaragua
Whereas not a mathematical decider, Monday’s conflict might form the trajectory of Group C. With solely two video games remaining after this one — in opposition to Costa Rica (Nov. 13) and Nicaragua (Nov. 18) — Haiti wants simply seven extra factors (two wins and a draw) to ensure qualification, no matter different outcomes.
“This sport might be sizzling,” mentioned soccer pundit Bertinie Chérizard on AyiboSport’s talk show. “We actually want to offer it our all on Monday.”
Analyst Kervens Mérisema added: “It’s actually the sport. We’ve to depart the sphere with a draw a minimum of as a result of even when we tie, we’ll nonetheless be forward of Honduras.”
After their dominant 3–0 win in Managua, the Grenadiers celebrated with singing and dancing within the locker room — a quick second of pleasure in a grueling qualifying marketing campaign. However now, they have to channel that vitality into self-discipline and focus.
“Haiti can scent the World Cup,” mentioned Mérisema. “However to get there, they have to match Honduras’ depth and psychological toughness.”
Haiti’s squad is deeper and extra proficient than in earlier cycles, boasting gamers from high European and North American leagues. But, as Concacaf historical past reveals, technical ability alone doesn’t assure wins — particularly in away qualifiers marked by bodily play and hostile crowds.
Key gamers to look at: Casimir, Bellegarde and Nazon lead a brand new period of a crew to worry
This new-look Haiti has emerged as one of the thrilling groups within the area. Josué Casimir, a 24-year-old winger from the French top-flight AJ Auxerre, impressed on the fitting flank in opposition to Nicaragua, helping the opening aim with a well-worked cross. Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, Wolverhampton Wanderers FC midfielder from the English Premier League, continues to regulate the sport’s tempo with composed dribbling and inventive passing from midfield. His nook kick offered the help for Danley Jean-Jacques’ header in the identical match—to offer Haiti a 2-0 lead at halftime.
In the meantime, Duckens Nazon stays the crew’s heartbeat in assault. The veteran ahead has scored 4 targets in three video games, together with a memorable hat-trick in Haiti’s 3–3 draw with Costa Rica. His management and ending have stored Haiti’s hopes alive.
Haiti has veterans and gamers in high European leagues who might help preserve the crew motivated. For instance, Ligue 1 winger Casimir — the newcomer who offered the help on the opening aim in opposition to Nicaragua — didn’t rejoice Nazon’s aim with him, however as an alternative went to him and mentioned methods to enhance the crew. That second on the sphere after the aim, when Casimir (21) was seen face-to-face with Nazon (9) discussing, went viral on social media.
Along with Casimir and Bellegarde, who play in high European divisions, the squad lately added proficient Premier League heart again Delcroix. He didn’t begin in opposition to Nicaragua however might characteristic within the beginning XI on Monday.
As a tactical device in opposition to Nicaragua, Haiti’s sport plan relied on attacking by means of the wings and exploiting areas behind the protection. That technique might not work as simply in opposition to a disciplined Honduran backline. Count on Migné to emphasise ball circulation by means of Bellegarde and fast transitions involving Casimir and Nazon.
If Haiti can face up to early strain and dictate tempo, their creativity and pace might break Honduras’ defensive form. Nevertheless, any lapse in focus — particularly on set items — might show pricey.
What’s at stake within the upcoming fixtures
A win on Monday would give Haiti eight factors and a commanding place atop Group C, leaving them getting ready to their first World Cup qualification in 52 years. A loss, nonetheless, might ship them right into a tense November needing outcomes in opposition to regional heavyweights Costa Rica and Nicaragua.
Whatever the final result, the match symbolizes how far Haiti has come — from instability and rebuilding to turning into a real contender on the regional stage.
- Oct. 13: Honduras vs. Haiti (San Pedro Sula, Honduras)
- Nov. 13: Haiti vs. Costa Rica (Willemstad, Curaçao)
- Nov. 18: Haiti vs. Nicaragua (Willemstad, Curaçoa)
As Haiti prepares for what could possibly be a defining evening, the message from pundits and followers alike is evident: keep targeted, play with coronary heart and seize the second.