Overview:
Haiti’s under-17 males’s nationwide soccer workforce secured a spot within the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup after defeating Guatemala 2-1 Tuesday at Progreso Cementos Stadium in Guatemala Metropolis. The victory marks Haiti’s second consecutive qualification within the class — a primary within the nation’s historical past. Targets from Sonson Jean-Baptiste and Danrick Dolce sealed the win, whereas goalkeeper Clifford Géné preserved the lead with key second-half saves. Haiti topped Group C with wins over Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda after which Guatemala.
CAP-HAÏTIEN — Haiti will compete in consecutive FIFA U-17 males’s World Cups for the primary time after defeating Guatemala 2-1 Tuesday night time at Progreso Cementos Stadium in Guatemala Metropolis.
With the victory, Les Petits Grenadiers secured a berth within the 2026 event in Qatar–-scheduled for October-November. The qualification provides to rising pleasure round Haitian soccer, with the senior males’s nationwide workforce additionally pursuing a spot within the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA.
Followers celebrated the U-17 workforce’s achievement on social media.
“I’m so blissful, so stuffed with pleasure, women and gents, that soccer made me overlook that I’m dwelling badly in Haiti,” James Lesage wrote on Facebook.
With the senior Grenadiers certified for the upcoming World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico, Haiti might probably have three groups on the world stage in 2026, because the under-17 girls compete within the remaining spherical of Concacaf qualifying.
Sonson Jr. Jean-Baptiste opened the scoring within the seventh minute. Guatemala responded 4 minutes later, however Danrick Dolce restored Haiti’s lead within the twenty second minute.
“What a efficiency, what a participant,” sports activities reporter Caleb Jephte Pierre wrote on Facebook. “Clifford Géné did it once more in a U-17 competitors. He was very current on the finish of the sport. He was the MVP in my guide.”
Haiti topped Group C with victories over Grenada (5-1), Antigua and Barbuda (4-0) and Guatemala (2-1). All matches had been performed at Progreso Cementos Stadium.
Emerson Laissé performed a key function within the qualifying marketing campaign, recording three assists and one purpose in three matches. Striker Marvenly Exilas scored three targets — all in opposition to Grenada within the opening match. Captain Miguel Joseph anchored the midfield, completing 14 passes throughout three video games.
Within the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup, Haiti struggled defensively, conceding 12 targets in losses to Egypt (4-1), England (8-1) and Venezuela (4-2). The 8-1 defeat marked Haiti’s largest margin of loss in any World Cup throughout all age classes.
Whereas the workforce confirmed resilience throughout qualifiers, defensive lapses stay a priority heading into Qatar.
“Good job,” Jamesky Blemur wrote on Fb. “[But] the gamers should not properly organized defensively but. I’d just like the coach to have the middle backs lead the road. The defensive form isn’t good. Opponents are sometimes behind us and barely caught offside.”
The 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup can be held in Qatar in November. The event is scheduled to be performed yearly in Qatar by 2029, offering Haiti extra alternatives to compete on the worldwide stage.