Haiti’s High Hopes: Squad Preparation for World Cup Qualifiers and Gold Cup
If there’s a football nation that knows how to keep fans guessing, it’s Haiti. With the World Cup qualifiers and the 2025 Gold Cup looming, the Grenadiers are mixing fresh blood with trusted experience in their latest preparations. The mood around the camp is buzzing with anticipation, and the coaching team isn’t leaving anything to chance.
Head coach Sebastien Migne, aided by Évariste Jocelyn and Frantz Joséphine, is deep into the process of narrowing down the final player list. They’re playing it close to the vest, for now, reviewing both seasoned campaigners and new talents. The established spine of the team is making headlines—Duckens Nazon, who’s hit the net 40 times in 69 appearances, is poised to lead the attack. Defenders Mechack Jérôme (who’s just shy of his 100th cap) and goalkeeper Johny Placide, with over 70 international appearances, provide the backbone Haiti relies on.
Alongside these familiar faces, the coaching staff is keenly watching the new crop of players. Christopher Attys is shaping up into a reliable midfield anchor. Leverton Pierre’s defensive energy and Fafa Picault’s creative presence have put them in contention too. Youngsters like Danley Jean-Jacques and Joseph Belmar are getting valuable exposure as Haiti eyes long-term squad depth.
Tactics, Training, and Team Morale
Behind the scenes, preparation means more than just picking names. Victorien Claudien, handling the squad’s fitness program, is known for tough training sessions designed to push players beyond their comfort zones. Tactical brains like Mickaël Flavien pore over match video, looking for every small edge they can find. They want to make sure every player, whether a veteran like Jérôme or a newcomer like Jean-Jacques, is ready for the pressure that comes with big international games.
Official details about the provisional squad and the exact match calendar are still under wraps. The Football Federation of Haiti (FHF) is tracking player form at both club and international level, knowing injuries and last-minute changes can shake things up. They’re also considering how tournament schedules, club commitments, and unexpected events might affect their final list.
Haiti’s fans can expect big names and fresh faces in blue and red when the whistle blows for the 2026 qualifiers. So while the final squad announcement is still pending, all signs point to a Grenadiers team mixing experience, youth, and grit as they chase football’s biggest dreams.