Haiti 2026 World Cup Preview - Can Les Grenadiers Get Out of Group C?

Matthew Marshall

Editor

Last updated: Thu 04 Jun 2026 14:17

Matthew Marshall 04 Jun 2026

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Haiti return to the FIFA World Cup after a 52-year absence
The team features players from the Premier League and Ligue 1
Few are expecting the Caribbean nation to escape from Group C

Duckens Nazon is Haiti's top goalscorer (Getty)

Haiti enters the 2026 FIFA World Cup as one of the most compelling underdog stories in international football.

World Cup History
The Road to 2026 - A Historic Qualification
The Manager - Sebastien Migne
The Squad - Diverse Group
Players to Watch
Group C Schedule
Verdict

After a 52-year absence from the world’s biggest stage, Les Grenadiers defied the odds to secure their place among the elite.

While the betting markets view them as massive longshots, the Haitian squad arrives in North America with nothing to lose and a roster bolstered by dual-national talents playing in Europe’s top tiers.

World Cup History

Haiti’s only appearance at the World Cup came in 1974 when they famously took the lead against Italy in their opening match before going down 3-1.

A 7-0 loss to Poland and 4-1 defeat against Argentina saw them exit in the group stage.

Year	Host	Stage Reached
1974	West Germany	Group Stage

The Road to 2026 - A Historic Qualification

Haiti won their opening three matches in Group C of the CONCACAF second round. They lost 5-1 against Curaçao on the final matchday but had done enough to reach the third round.

Sebastien Migne's side went unbeaten in all three home games which were played in Willemstad, Curaçao.

Finishing with a 1-0 win against Costa Rica and 2-0 victory over Nicaragua earned them top spot in Group C and a ticket to the World Cup.

The Manager - Sebastien Migne

The man behind the resurgence is Sébastien Migné, a pragmatic Frenchman appointed in 2024. Having previously managed DR Congo and Kenya, his history of working with underdog nations proved vital.

Migné has instilled a disciplined 4-4-2 / 4-2-3-1 counter-attacking system that prioritises defensive solidity while utilizing Haiti’s pace on the wings.

The Squad - Diverse Group

The Haiti squad is anchored by veteran leaders like 38-year-old captain Johny Placide in goal and all-time leading scorer Duckens Nazon upfront.

Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor and Wolves midfielder Jean-Ricner Bellegarde feature in a diverse lineup that features players from Ligue 1 and MLS.

Pos	Player	Age	Club
GK	Johny Placide	38	Bastia
GK	Alexandre Pierre	25	Sochaux
GK	Josue Duverger	26	Cosmos Koblenz
DF	Ricardo Ade	36	LDU Quito
DF	Carlens Arcus	29	Angers
DF	Martin Experience	27	Nancy
DF	Jean-Kevin Duverne	28	Gent
DF	Duke Lacroix	32	Colorado Springs
DF	Wilguens Paugain	24	Zulte Waregem
DF	Hannes Delcroix	27	Lugano
DF	Keeto Thermoncy	20	Young Boys
MF	Leverton Pierre	28	Vizela
MF	Danley Jean Jacques	26	Philadelphia Union
MF	Carl Sainte	23	El Paso Locomotive
MF	Jean-Ricner Bellegarde	27	Wolverhampton
MF	Woodensky Pierre	21	Violette
MF	Dominique Simon	25	Tatran Presov
FW	Duckens Nazon	32	Esteghlal
FW	Frantzdy Pierrot	31	Caykur Rizespor
FW	Derrick Etienne Jr.	29	Toronto
FW	Louicius Deedson	25	Dallas
FW	Ruben Providence	24	Almere City
FW	Josue Casimir	24	Auxerre
FW	Yassin Fortune	27	Vizela
FW	Wilson Isidor	25	Sunderland
FW	Lenny Joseph	25	Ferencvaros

Predicted XI (4-4-1-1): Johny Placide; Carlens Arcus, Ricardo Ade, Hannes Delcroix, Duke Lacroix; Josue Casimir, Danley Jean Jacques, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, Ruben Providence; Wilson Isidor, Duckens Nazon

Players to Watch

Johny Placide: At 38, the legendary keeper remains the emotional heartbeat of the team. He is battling a knee injury but if fit, his shot-stopping ability will be tested frequently.

Ricardo Ade: The 36-year-old has earned 57 caps and is known for his physical dominance, aerial ability and leadership on the pitch.

Jean-Ricner Bellegarde: The engine room. Has been unable to help Wolves avoid relegation in the Premier League, but his experience provides composure and passing range.

Wilson Isidor: The Sunderland striker recently committed to the national team and become the crown jewel of the attack. His movement and clinical finishing could be Haiti's primary source of goals.

Duckens Nazon: The veteran netted six goals in the qualifiers and has scored 44 goals in 76 internationals, the most in Haitian history.

Frantzdy Pierrot: The striker has found playing time hard to come by at Rizespor but has an impressive goalscoring record at international level, scoring 33 goals in 49 games.

Group C Schedule

Haiti begin their campaign against Scotland before a difficult assignment against Brazil. Morocco will be their final group stage opponents in Atlanta.

Date	Opponent	Venue
June 13	Scotland	Gillette Stadium, Foxborough
June 19	Brazil	Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
June 24	Morocco	Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

Haiti's most realistic option of escaping the group stage is as one of the top eight third placed teams. That would set up a clash against a group winner which could be Mexico, Germany or France.