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 last Tuesday. However, their French coach, Sebastien Migne, has not yet been able to visit the country due to persistent instability. The Haitian team, forced to play their matches 500 miles away in Curaçao, culminated a surprising qualifying campaign. In this, they surpassed the favorites Honduras and Costa Rica, securing their place in the global competition. This will be Haiti’s first appearance in a World Cup in 52 years, following their participation in the 1974 World Cup in West Germany. The national team coach, Sebastien Migne, told France Football magazine about the impossibility of visiting the country due to the security situation. “It’s impossible [to visit] because it’s too dangerous,” Migne stated. “I normally live in the countries where I work, but I can’t here. There are no longer any international flights landing there.” The team, led by Wolverhampton’s French midfielder Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, is entirely composed of players playing abroad. Haiti hopes to have Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor, who is in great form.Isidor added: “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.”“I would like to set the goal of going to the World Cup, it will always be a dream,” Isidor told the French sports newspaper L’Equipe.
Wilson Isidor
