Haiti Secures its Place in the World Cup Despite Difficulties
Haiti’s selection has sealed its pass to next summer’s World Cup with a 2-0 victory over Nicaragua. However, their French coach, Sebastien Migne, has still not been able to visit the country due to persistent instability.
Haiti, forced to play its matches 500 miles away in Curaçao, culminated a surprising qualifying campaign, surpassing Honduras and Costa Rica, considered favorites.
This will be Haiti’s first participation in a World Cup in 52 years, since their previous appearance in the 1974 World Cup in West Germany.
Travelers are advised to avoid visiting Haiti, where violence and civil unrest have been frequent since the 2010 earthquake.
The team, led by Wolverhampton’s French midfielder Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, is entirely composed of players playing abroad.
“It’s impossible [to visit] because it’s too dangerous,” Migne told France Football magazine. “I usually live in the countries where I work, but I can’t here. There are no longer any international flights landing there.”
The country is waiting to incorporate Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor.
“I would like to set the goal of going to the World Cup, it will always be a dream,” Isidor declared to the French sports newspaper L’Equipe.
“I have two options: France and Haiti. Haiti has already contacted me, but I haven’t made a decision yet. I am currently focused on my club. In the French national team, I know the guys, I’ve played with them and against them.”
