Haiti's Coach Leads Team to 2026 World Cup, But Has Never Visited the Country in Two Years

Sébastien Migné has been at the helm of the Haitian national team for two years, currently guiding them to their first World Cup appearance since 1974. Despite the Frenchman never having set foot in the Caribbean nation due to ongoing security concerns, he hopes to rectify this in the near future. Migné's squad became the first team eliminated from the 2026 World Cup after losses to Scotland and Brazil, and they are set to face Morocco in their final Group C match on Wednesday. The Haitian team hasn't played a home game since 2021, when the country was gripped by gang violence following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse.

“Unfortunately, this is the first time in my career that I haven't been able to go there in the last two years due to security reasons, as you might understand,” Sébastien Migné commented, as quoted by Reuters, adding: “I hope I can go to Haiti. My presence there would be very beneficial for local coaches and would help discover local talent.” The majority of the Haitian squad is comprised of players from the country's diaspora, with 21-year-old midfielder Woodensky Pierre being the only team member who plays for a Haitian club.

“I managed to select one talent from Haiti among the 26 players. There are footballers like these waiting there, waiting to be discovered. I am convinced that this is a home of football. Despite the context and background, it's no coincidence that the country qualified many years ago. I hope this happens. I can't say when it will be possible, but if it is, we will go there this year,” Sébastien Migné further stated. Despite their elimination from the 2026 World Cup, the Haitian players are determined to give their all to earn their country's first World Cup points, having lost all three matches in their only previous appearance. “Regardless of the elimination, it's important to play well in the third match because our World Cup qualification brought so much hope to the Haitian people. Yes, we suffered two losses, but the real defeat would be to give up,” Migné explained.

The match against Morocco will be captain Johny Placide's last for his country, as the 38-year-old goalkeeper is retiring from international football after the tournament. “I hope we can give him the best send-off in this final game. Perhaps 1 point, perhaps 3 points, which would make history and be incredible for the captain of Haiti,” the coach declared.