5 things Haiti needs to do in friendlies to be better prepared for World Cup | Analysis

NEW YORK — Haiti’s final friendlies this week before the 2026 FIFA World Cup will offer more than a chance to build momentum. They will also provide head coach Sébastien Migné an opportunity to evaluate key tactical questions before Les Grenadiers face Scotland, Brazil and Morocco in the group stage. 

For Haiti’s first trip to the World Cup in 1974, the team played its final tune-up matches against Brazil and Chile, losing 4-0 and drawing 0-0 in April. At the World Cup, Les Grenadiers were knocked out in the first round, losing all three group games to Italy (3-1), Poland (7-0) and Argentina (4-1). This time around, the Caribbean nation will face New Zealand and Peru in South Florida to prepare for its second participation, hoping to do better than in its first.

The team faces New Zealand Tuesday night at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale before taking on Peru Friday night at Inter Miami’s Nu Stadium in Miami—with both games scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EST.

The two matches will help determine whether recent additions to the squad are ready for the sport’s biggest stage and whether several lingering concerns have been addressed.

Here are five areas—in no particular order— Haiti should focus on before the World Cup begins.

Wilson Isidor needs to keep building momentum

Striker Wilson Isidor, 25, quickly emerged as one of Haiti’s most important attacking weapons after joining the national team in March.

The English Premier League’s Sunderland AFC forward scored his first international goal against Iceland in his second appearance for Les Grenadiers and is expected to play a major role in Haiti’s attack during the World Cup.

Consistency has occasionally been an issue at the club level. Isidor often experiences productive scoring stretches followed by lengthy droughts.

For instance, he scored four Premier League goals for Sunderland between August and October last season before going six months without scoring.

The previous season followed a similar pattern. He netted seven times between December 2024 and February 2025 in England’s second division, then failed to score over the final three months of the campaign, as his club earned promotion back to the English top division.

A strong performance against New Zealand or Peru would help Haiti solidify its attack and allow Isidor to enter the tournament in form.

Haiti’s reserves need meaningful minutes

While building chemistry among the starters is important, Haiti also needs its substitutes ready for the World Cup.

Teams can make up to five substitutions during World Cup matches, making squad depth critical, especially against physically demanding opponents such as Brazil and Morocco.

Several players who could play significant roles off the bench have seen limited action recently with their clubs, including Don Deedson Louicius, Frantzdy Pierrot, Duckens Nazon—due to his club’s season suspension because of the war in Iran— and Leverton Pierre.

The friendlies offer an opportunity for those players to regain rhythm and sharpen their match fitness before the tournament.

Left side of defense remains a concern

Haiti’s left flank has been one of its most vulnerable areas defensively.

Martin Expérience of AS Nancy Lorraine in France’s second division and Duke Lacroix of the Colorado Springs Switchbacks in the United Soccer League (USL) contribute offensively from the left-back position. Defensively, however, Haiti’s left flank has remained vulnerable against stronger opponents. They have repeatedly found space to exploit there.

Compounding the issue, Haiti’s left winger up top has not always provided sufficient defensive cover.

One possible solution would be moving Jean-Kévin Duverne to left-back. Duverne has experience in the position and has played at a higher level than Haiti’s other options, including stints with FC Nantes in France’s top division and as a loanee with KAA Gent in Belgium’s first division.

Still, regardless of who starts at left back, Haiti’s wide midfielders and wingers will need to contribute defensively against elite opposition.

Haiti needs a true defensive presence in midfield

At times, Haiti has left too much space in front of its center backs after losing possession.

Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Danley Jean-Jacques both excel at progressing the ball and controlling play, but neither is a natural defensive midfielder whose primary role is shielding the back line.

Against teams with elite attacking talent, that gap could prove costly.

That makes newcomer Dominique Simon one of the most intriguing players in camp. The FC Tatran Prešov midfielder received his first call-up ahead of the World Cup and could provide the defensive balance Haiti has been missing.

The friendlies against New Zealand and Peru will give Migné an opportunity to evaluate whether the 25-year-old Simon, born in France to Haitian parents, can anchor the midfield and help stabilize the team’s defensive structure before the tournament begins.

Preserve unity that fueled qualification

Perhaps Haiti’s greatest strength during its World Cup qualifying campaign was not tactical — it was the sense of unity within the squad.

Throughout the period, players and staff members consistently spoke about the team’s chemistry, commitment and shared purpose. Veterans welcomed newcomers, and several dual-national players integrated quickly into the group. That cohesion helped Haiti navigate difficult matches and ultimately secure its first World Cup berth in 52 years.

Beyond the time together at training camps in Florida and New Jersey, the friendlies against New Zealand and Peru offer one final opportunity to strengthen that bond before the tournament begins.

Yves “Dadou” Jean-Bart, former president of the Haitian Football Federation (FHF) who served in the position for nearly two decades before a sexual scandal took him down, agreed.

“Beyond tactics and playing good football,” Jean-Bart said May 29 on his Radio Galaxie’s Sport Dernière show, “ maintaining a positive atmosphere and unity will be important.” 

“Haiti’s national teams have occasionally faced distractions in the past, including disputes over bonuses, travel arrangements, administrative decisions and other off-field issues that affected morale and preparation.” 

While no major controversy has surfaced during this World Cup cycle, the pressure and attention surrounding the tournament will be unlike anything most of the players have experienced.

Head coach Migné and federation officials will need to ensure that logistical and administrative matters remain in the background so players can focus on football.

A united squad will not make Haiti a favorite against the likes of Brazil or Morocco, but strong chemistry could help Les Grenadiers maximize their talent, remain resilient during difficult moments and compete above expectations on the world’s biggest stage.

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