Massachusetts declares May 26 ‘Frantzdy Pierrot Day’ for role in Haiti’s World Cup return

NEW YORK — Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey declared May 26 as Frantzdy Pierrot Day, honoring the Haitian striker— whose journey from playing barefoot in Haiti to competing on soccer’s biggest stage helped inspire Haiti’s return to the FIFA World Cup after 52 years.

Pierrot, who moved to Massachusetts from Haiti at age 11, was recognized during a proclamation ceremony Tuesday at the State House for his role in helping Haiti qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“Standing here tonight is a special moment for me,” Pierrot said during the ceremony. “I think about where my dream started.”

“Step by step, a dream that started barefoot in Haiti brought me to the European Champions League and now to the biggest stage in the world,” he added before an audience largely composed of Haitian Americans.

A force in Haiti’s attack, Pierrot delivered key goals in World Cup qualifiers

The 31-year-old forward played a key role in Haiti’s qualification campaign, recording two goals and one assist in 10 matches. His most decisive moment came Nov. 14, when he scored the winning goal against Costa Rica in a crucial qualifier in Willemstad, Curaçao.

Pierrot redirected a low cross from winger Ruben Providence past Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas in the 75th minute, helping Les Grenadiers secure a vital victory as Haiti pushed toward its first World Cup appearance since 1974.

The Bas-Limbé native is Haiti’s third all-time scorer, with 33 goals in 49 international appearances so far, behind teammate Duckens Nazon, who has scored 44 in 80 matches, and the late legendary striker Emmanuel “Manno” Sanon, who scored 37 in 65 games.

Pierrot has continued contributing to Haiti’s national team after qualification, including an assist in a 1-1 draw against Iceland in a March warm-up game. 

Haiti opened its World Cup preparations in South Florida this week, where the team plays New Zealand and Peru in friendlies, before traveling to New Jersey for additional training sessions at Stockton University on June 8.

Les Grenadiers will face Brazil, Morocco and Scotland in the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which the United States, Mexico and Canada will host. Their opening match against Scotland on June 13 will take place at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts — the state where Pierrot developed much of his game.

Massachusetts is rooting for Pierrot in the World Cup

Massachusetts is home to one of the nation’s largest Haitian American populations. According to U.S. Census Bureau estimates, about 76,000 Haitian Americans lived in the state as of 2024, trailing only Florida and New York.

“We wish you the best of luck as you move forward to the group stage,” Healey said during the ceremony. “We’re not just here to honor you but also to cheer for you.”

Pierrot attended Melrose High School before playing collegiately at Northeastern University in Boston. In 2018, he was selected by the Colorado Rapids in the MLS SuperDraft as the 27th overall pick. However, he did not sign with the Rapids and instead pursued his professional career in Europe, beginning with Belgian side Royal Excel Mouscron before moving to France’s second division with Guingamp from 2019 to 2022.

He later joined Maccabi Haifa F.C. in Israel, where he scored 28 goals in 66 appearances and competed in the UEFA Champions League. Pierrot currently plays for Turkish club Çaykur Rizespor on loan from Greek top-division outfit AEK Athens F.C.

During the proclamation ceremony, Pierrot also announced the launch of the Frantzdy Pierrot Foundation, an initiative aimed at helping young Haitian players access opportunities with clubs, academies and scouts in Europe and the Americas. The foundation will work alongside the already established Frantzdy Pierrot Academy in Haiti.

“We cannot wait another 52 years to reach the World Cup,” Pierrot said. “The time is now to invest in our people, our football and the future of the next generation.”

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