Grenadiers’ sole Haiti-based player lands in US after visa delay

NEW YORK — Defensive midfielder Woodensky Pierre, the only Grenadier player on the Haiti team’s 26-man roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, arrived in Fort Lauderdale, on Tuesday, a source close to the player told The Haitian Times.

The source spoke on condition of anonymity since he is not authorized to speak publicly on the matter. Pierre, 21, is the latest to join his teammates in the final stage of preparations for the global tournament.

Head coach Sébastien Migné, speaking at a press conference at Inter Miami CF Chase Stadium Monday night ahead of Haiti’s friendly against New Zealand at the venue, had said he expected Pierre to land in Florida by Tuesday morning. 

“Everything has been resolved,” Migné rejoiced. “Woodensky [Pierre] should arrive between tonight and tomorrow morning.”

Pierre is a key player for the Port-au-Prince-based top-flight Violette Athletic Club, and among the most promising talents in the Haitian Soccer League today. He has been named MVP of the league for two consecutive seasons, with Violette winning back-to-back championship titles. He also won the league in 2024 while on loan at Real Hope Football Academy.

Haitian fans across the world are ecstatic to hear news of his arrival, especially because Haiti-based players have been scarce on the national team in recent years after the league stopped operating from 2019 to 2023 and due to immigration issues and political instability. Haiti’s team has largely been made up of the diaspora, in sharp contrast to the team’s roster in the 1974 FIFA World Cup, when all but one of the players played locally. 

Haiti will face Brazil, Morocco and Scotland in the group stage of the World Cup, which will take place in the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19. Having a player based in Haiti on the world’s biggest stage brings an even greater sense of pride to Haitian soccer fans.

“I’d be nice to see him,” Dorian Rowe, an environmental scientist based in Miami, said. “It’s good that he’s coming. I’m happy, I was hoping for that.”

Pierre was first called up on the national team in March and has only made one appearance thus far, coming off the bench against Iceland during a 1-1 draw on March 31. He impressed in the midfield as he made several accurate passes and was positioned well. 

Pierre missed seven days of training

Les Grenadiers began their World Cup preparations on May 26 in Port Saint Lucie and have a friendly game against New Zealand at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on June 2. So, Pierre missed the first seven days of training and a friendly game.

Pierre’s travel to the U.S. was delayed due to the U.S.’ visa restrictions on Haitian nationals in June 2025, citing concerns that included visa overstay rates and gang-fueled security issues, according to the White House. 

The Haitian Football Federation bypassed the visa restrictions by acquiring an official passport for Pierre instead of doing the process with his regular passport, the federation told The Haitian Times on May 27. 

An official passport is typically issued to government employees or individuals traveling on behalf of the state for official purposes, according to Passport Index. After receiving his official passport, Pierre later obtained his American visa on June 1, sources said.

Now that fans are assured that Pierre will join the team for the World Cup, fans want to see him strive at the prestigious competition.

“He’s going to play at the biggest stage in the world,” Rowe, 37, said. “When Haiti plays Brazil, all of Brazil is going to be watching — the whole world. If he plays a decent game they will see him. Teams from all over the world will know him. And that could change his life.”

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