Célestin and Félix make World Cup history despite Haiti’s dismal U-17 run

Statistically, Haiti ended its 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup campaign as one of the weakest teams in the tournament. Les Grenadiers conceded 16 goals in three group-stage matches—the third most overall—and scored only four. The team’s defenders and midfielders looked drained and disorganized.

Yet amid the disappointment, two young players emerged as bright spots: winger Franco Célestin and attacking midfielder Woodson Félix.

Together, the duo made history as the only Haitian players ever to each record a goal and an assist in a World Cup—across all categories, for men and women alike.

Célestin, widely regarded as the team’s most promising player, scored Haiti’s lone goal in its 8-1 loss to England on Nov. 7, heading in a cross to put Haiti on the scoreboard. Earlier in Haiti’s opening of the tournament, he provided an assist in the 4-1 loss to Egypt, racing down the right flank before sending a low cross to Nikolaï Pierre for the finish.

Despite those highlights, Célestin expressed little joy.

“It’s a team,” Célestin said after the England match. “The team lost, so I lost too. I think I gave it my all.”

The 16-year-old’s goal and assist confirmed his rise as one of Haiti’s top young talents. He stands out as youth soccer falters, with his hometown’s Ranch de la Croix-des-Bouquets—a major FHF-run academy near Port-au-Prince—now largely abandoned due to gang control.

Some fans see Célestin’s performances as a glimmer of hope.

“Hold your head high, Franco,” one fan wrote in Creole on social media. “You’re making Croix-des-Bouquets proud.”

Another commented, “This guy deserves to get signed by a club overseas.”

A star is born in the World Cup

While Célestin reaffirmed his reputation, Félix made a name for himself on the world stage in Qatar. The Real Hope Football Academy midfielder didn’t start Haiti’s first match but made an immediate impact off the bench against Egypt.

Félix started the next two matches and tallied both his goal and assist against Group E leaders Venezuela. In the 41st minute, he dribbled toward the Venezuelan defense before threading a precise pass to Da-Bentz Jacquet, who fired it into the bottom corner. Later, in the 72nd minute, Félix found the net himself from a tight angle inside the box.

Remarkably, Félix hadn’t played in the World Cup qualifiers, joining the squad only for the tournament. His maturity and vision quickly earned praise.

“Woodson Félix is one of the few bright spots for Haiti at the 2025 World Cup in Qatar,” sports reporter Ynel Francois wrote on Facebook. “He’s one player we can count on in the future.”

Célestin’s rise before the World Cup

Célestin first gained attention in August 2022, leading Haiti to victory in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Under-14 Challenge Series. He scored six goals and earned the tournament’s top player award while playing for LEG A-Z, a club in Croix-des-Bouquets.

His performance caught the eye of Jamaican powerhouse Mount Pleasant F.A., which later signed him.

Célestin is known for his speed, ball control, and pinpoint crosses—qualities that make him dangerous both as a winger and attacking midfielder. He also has an eye for goal, making him a true utility player.

He continued to impress in the 2025 World Cup qualifiers, helping Haiti secure its spot in Qatar.

As of this writing, it remains unclear when the team will return home. Félix is expected to rejoin Real Hope and play in the Haitian League, which resumed last week. Célestin will return to Jamaica, where the Premier League is set to restart on Dec. 7 after being paused due to Hurricane Melissa.

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