Overview:
The Haitian Instances’ sports activities reporter, Onz Chéry, analyzes 5 areas Haiti ought to tackle earlier than coming into the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 13. His evaluation covers techniques and personnel whereas remaining grounded in a recurring actuality of Haitian soccer. The nice and cozy-ups towards New Zealand and Peru in South Florida this week will give followers a glimpse of the crew’s readiness for the game’s greatest stage.
NEW YORK — Haiti’s remaining friendlies this week earlier than the 2026 FIFA World Cup will supply greater than an opportunity to construct momentum. They can even present head coach Sébastien Migné a possibility to guage key tactical questions earlier than Les Grenadiers face Scotland, Brazil and Morocco within the group stage.
For Haiti’s first journey to the World Cup in 1974, the crew performed its remaining tune-up matches towards Brazil and Chile, shedding 4-0 and drawing 0-0 in April. On the World Cup, Les Grenadiers had been knocked out within the first spherical, shedding all three group games to Italy (3-1), Poland (7-0) and Argentina (4-1). This time round, the Caribbean nation will face New Zealand and Peru in South Florida to organize for its second participation, hoping to do higher than in its first.
The crew faces New Zealand Tuesday evening at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale earlier than taking up Peru Friday evening at Inter Miami’s Nu Stadium in Miami—with each video games scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EST.
The 2 matches will assist decide whether or not latest additions to the squad are prepared for the game’s greatest stage and whether or not a number of lingering issues have been addressed.
Listed here are 5 areas—in no specific order— Haiti ought to give attention to earlier than the World Cup begins.
Wilson Isidor must hold constructing momentum
Striker Wilson Isidor, 25, shortly emerged as one in every of Haiti’s most essential attacking weapons after becoming a member of the nationwide crew in March.
The English Premier League’s Sunderland AFC ahead scored his first worldwide aim towards Iceland in his second look for Les Grenadiers and is anticipated to play a significant position in Haiti’s assault through the World Cup.
Consistency has sometimes been a difficulty on the membership stage. Isidor usually experiences productive scoring stretches adopted by prolonged droughts.
As an example, he scored 4 Premier League targets for Sunderland between August and October final season earlier than going six months with out scoring.
The earlier season adopted an analogous sample. He netted seven occasions between December 2024 and February 2025 in England’s second division, then failed to attain over the ultimate three months of the marketing campaign, as his membership earned promotion again to the English top division.
A robust efficiency towards New Zealand or Peru would assist Haiti solidify its assault and permit Isidor to enter the event in kind.
Haiti’s reserves want significant minutes
Whereas constructing chemistry among the many starters is essential, Haiti additionally wants its substitutes prepared for the World Cup.
Groups could make as much as 5 substitutions throughout World Cup matches, making squad depth essential, particularly towards bodily demanding opponents corresponding to Brazil and Morocco.
A number of gamers who may play important roles off the bench have seen restricted motion lately with their golf equipment, together with Don Deedson Louicius, Frantzdy Pierrot, Duckens Nazon—attributable to his membership’s season suspension due to the war in Iran— and Leverton Pierre.
The friendlies supply a possibility for these gamers to regain rhythm and sharpen their match health earlier than the event.
Left aspect of protection stays a priority
Haiti’s left flank has been one in every of its most susceptible areas defensively.
Martin Expérience of AS Nancy Lorraine in France’s second division and Duke Lacroix of the Colorado Springs Switchbacks within the United Soccer League (USL) contribute offensively from the left-back place. Defensively, nonetheless, Haiti’s left flank has remained susceptible towards stronger opponents. They’ve repeatedly discovered house to use there.
Compounding the difficulty, Haiti’s left winger up high has not all the time offered ample defensive cowl.
One potential answer could be shifting Jean-Kévin Duverne to left-back. Duverne has expertise within the place and has performed at a better stage than Haiti’s different choices, together with stints with FC Nantes in France’s high division and as a loanee with KAA Gent in Belgium’s first division.
Nonetheless, no matter who begins at left again, Haiti’s extensive midfielders and wingers might want to contribute defensively towards elite opposition.
Haiti wants a real defensive presence in midfield
At occasions, Haiti has left an excessive amount of house in entrance of its heart backs after shedding possession.
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Danley Jean-Jacques each excel at progressing the ball and controlling play, however neither is a pure defensive midfielder whose main position is shielding the again line.
In opposition to groups with elite attacking expertise, that hole may show pricey.
That makes newcomer Dominique Simon one of the crucial intriguing gamers in camp. The FC Tatran Prešov midfielder obtained his first call-up forward of the World Cup and will present the defensive stability Haiti has been lacking.
The friendlies towards New Zealand and Peru will give Migné a possibility to guage whether or not the 25-year-old Simon, born in France to Haitian dad and mom, can anchor the midfield and assist stabilize the crew’s defensive construction earlier than the event begins.
Protect unity that fueled qualification
Maybe Haiti’s best power throughout its World Cup qualifying marketing campaign was not tactical — it was the sense of unity throughout the squad.
All through the interval, gamers and workers members persistently spoke in regards to the crew’s chemistry, dedication and shared goal. Veterans welcomed newcomers, and several other dual-national gamers built-in shortly into the group. That cohesion helped Haiti navigate tough matches and finally safe its first World Cup berth in 52 years.
Past the time collectively at coaching camps in Florida and New Jersey, the friendlies towards New Zealand and Peru supply one remaining alternative to strengthen that bond earlier than the event begins.
Yves “Dadou” Jean-Bart, former president of the Haitian Soccer Federation (FHF) who served within the place for almost 20 years earlier than a sexual scandal took him down, agreed.
“Past techniques and enjoying good soccer,” Jean-Bart mentioned Might 29 on his Radio Galaxie’s Sport Dernière show, “ sustaining a constructive ambiance and unity can be essential.”
“Haiti’s nationwide groups have sometimes confronted distractions previously, together with disputes over bonuses, journey preparations, administrative choices and different off-field points that affected morale and preparation.”
Whereas no main controversy has surfaced throughout this World Cup cycle, the stress and a focus surrounding the event can be not like something a lot of the gamers have skilled.
Head coach Migné and federation officers might want to be sure that logistical and administrative issues stay within the background so gamers can give attention to soccer.
A united squad won’t make Haiti a favourite towards the likes of Brazil or Morocco, however robust chemistry may assist Les Grenadiers maximize their expertise, stay resilient throughout tough moments and compete above expectations on the world’s greatest stage.