Haiti has secured a 2-0 victory over Nicaragua, earning a spot at the World Cup for only the second time in its history. Remarkably, the team’s French manager, Sebastien Migne, has never set foot in the country since taking charge 18 months ago.
Haiti has secured a 2-0 victory over Nicaragua, earning a spot at the World Cup for only the second time in its history. Remarkably, the team’s French manager, Sebastien Migne, has never set foot in the country since taking charge 18 months ago.
The 52-year-old coach has been unable to travel to Haiti due to ongoing conflicts that make it unsafe for international visitors. As a result, the national team has had to play its home fixtures more than 500 miles away in Curacao, near the coast of Venezuela.
The nation has faced severe instability since the 2010 earthquake, with gangs controlling much of Port-au-Prince and forcing around 1.3 million residents to flee their homes. Food scarcity and high levels of violence continue to threaten daily life.
Authorities strongly advise against travel to Haiti, citing risks such as kidnappings, violent crime, terrorist activity, and civil unrest. Migne explained, “It’s impossible because it’s too dangerous,” adding that he normally resides in the country where he coaches but cannot do so here.
Unable to be physically present, Migne has managed the team remotely, relying heavily on updates from Haitian football federation officials over the phone. He previously served as Cameroon's assistant coach during the last World Cup, bringing valuable experience to the squad despite his distance.
The Haitian roster now consists entirely of players based overseas, including Wolves midfielder Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, who was born in France. The team also hopes to convince Sunderland forward Wilson Isidor, born in France to Haitian parents, to join their ranks.
This approach has allowed Haiti to overcome logistical challenges and remain competitive on the international stage, demonstrating resilience in the face of adversity.
By defeating Nicaragua, Haiti has booked a place at the upcoming World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Their last appearance in the tournament was in 1974, where they were eliminated in the first round after losses to Italy, Poland, and Argentina.
Joining Haiti as CONCACAF qualifiers are Panama, who beat El Salvador 3-0, and World Cup debutants Curacao, who advanced after drawing with Jamaica.
For Haiti, this marks a major milestone in its football history, achieving qualification under circumstances that few could have anticipated.
