Haiti has achieved a remarkable qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This journey stands out as one of the most unusual and inspiring in football history.

Their head coach, Sebastien Migne, led them to the tournament. He has not visited Haiti even once since taking the job 18 months ago. The Frenchman’s absence is due to the severe unrest gripping the Caribbean nation.

Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, remains under the control of armed groups. The ongoing violence has displaced over a million people. International travelers face warnings to stay away. These warnings cite risks of kidnappings, crime, and prolonged instability.

“It’s impossible because it’s too dangerous,” Migne stated when questioned about his inability to travel. He explained that he typically resides in the countries where he works. However, Haiti presented a clear exception. “No more international flights are landing there,” he told France Football magazine.

Despite the significant geographical distance, Migne successfully molded a competitive team. He relied heavily on officials within the Haitian football federation. They provided crucial updates on local players. Migne managed most of his assessments and team operations remotely.

Remote Play and Foreign-Based Squad

Given the volatile situation at home, Haiti has been forced to host its matches in Curaçao. This location is almost 500 miles away. Consequently, the squad is now entirely foreign-based. This includes players like Wolves midfielder Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, who was born in France.

There is also hope that Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor will commit to the national team. Isidor, also France-born with Haitian roots, could join ahead of next summer’s tournament.

Haiti secured their place at the World Cup with a decisive 2-0 victory over Nicaragua. The tournament will be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. This achievement marks Haiti’s first return to the competition since 1974.

During their previous World Cup appearance in 1974, Haiti was eliminated in the group stage. They faced formidable opponents such as Italy, Poland, and Argentina.