Isidor and Bellegarde Named in Haiti’s World Cup 2026 Squad

Haiti has officially unveiled its 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, featuring Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor and Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Jean-Ricner Bellegarde. This marks only the second time in history that the Caribbean nation has qualified for the men's World Cup, with their last appearance dating back to 1974.

The squad announcement sets the stage for Haiti's challenging Group C campaign, where they are set to face Scotland, five-time World champions Brazil, and 2022 semi-finalists Morocco. The inclusion of key European-based players highlights Haiti's ambition as they prepare for the global tournament.

Squad Highlights

The 26-player roster features a mix of experienced professionals and emerging talents. Wilson Isidor, who plays for Sunderland, and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde of Wolves, are expected to provide significant contributions in attack and midfield, respectively. Their experience in competitive European leagues will be crucial for Haiti as they navigate a tough group stage.

The squad also includes the nation's all-time top scorer, Duckens Nazon, who boasts an impressive record of 44 goals in 76 appearances. Nazon was instrumental in Haiti topping their Concacaf qualifying group, demonstrating his continued importance to the team's offensive efforts.

World Cup History and Qualification Journey

Haiti's qualification for the 2026 World Cup is a historic achievement, coming 52 years after their only previous appearance in the 1974 tournament held in West Germany. Their journey to the 2026 finals was notable for overcoming significant challenges, including having to play their home matches at neutral venues due to ongoing security concerns in the country. Despite these hurdles, the team demonstrated resilience and determination throughout their Concacaf qualifying campaign.

Key Facts

Group C Fixtures

Haiti faces a formidable challenge in Group C. Their opening match on June 13 (kick-off 02:00 BST on June 14) will be against Scotland. Following this, they will take on footballing giants Brazil, who have a rich history in the World Cup, and Morocco, who impressed at the 2022 tournament by reaching the semi-finals. These fixtures will test Haiti's mettle and provide a significant platform for their players.

Full Squad List

Goalkeepers: Johnny Placide (Bastia), Alexandre Pierre (Sochaux), Josué Duverger (FC Cosmos Koblenz)
Defenders: Carlens Arcus (Angers), Wilguens Pauguain (Zulte Waregem), Duke Lacroix (Colorado Springs), Martin Expérience (Nancy), Jean-Kévin Duverne (KAA Gent), Ricardo Adé (LDU Quito), Hannes Delcroix (Lugano), Keeto Thermoncy (Young Boys Berne)
Midfielders: Leverton Pierre (Vizela), Carl-Fred Sainthé (El Paso Locomotive), Jean-Jacques Danley (Philadelphia Union), Jean-Ricner Bellegarde (Wolves), Pierre Woodenski (Violette), Dominique Simon (Tatran Presov)
Forwards: Louicius Deedson (Dallas), Ruben Providence (Almere City), Josué Casimir (Auxerre), Derrick Etienne (Toronto), Wilson Isidor (Sunderland), Duckens Nazon (Esteghlal), Frantzdy Pierrot (Caykur Rizespor), Yassin Fortune (Vizela), Lenny Joseph (Ferencvaros).

This squad represents Haiti's hopes for a memorable performance on the world stage, with the mix of domestic and international talent aiming to make an impact against some of the globe's strongest footballing nations.

Fuente: BBC Sport Football RSS – https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c242rl3yjp8o?atmedium=RSS&atcampaign=rss