The Haitian national team said goodbye to the 2026 FIFA World Cup after losing 2-4 to Morocco in a thrilling match corresponding to the third and final day of Group C. Despite the defeat, the Haitian media and fans reacted with a mixture of resignation and objectivity, highlighting their pride in the Caribbean nation’s historic qualification for the world’s biggest football tournament after a 52-year absence.
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Le Nouvelliste newspaper emphasized that the national team left the 2026 World Cup with their heads held high. The press and the public, aware of the high level of competition, lamented the result against the African team, but deeply valued that the team showed the best image of the country to the world of football.
Haiti returned to the biggest stage in football for the first time in more than five decades, an achievement that the population celebrates regardless of the sporting results.
The match, played in Atlanta, began with a historic event. In the 10th minute, Lenny Joseph scored Haiti’s first World Cup goal since 1974 with a backheel.
#Haiti is at the #WorldCup after 52 years. Without having played a single home match, because of insecurity.
Their players, as well as their students, know what it takes: a winning mentality, unity and teamwork. And that’s exactly what we’re supporting in the country: going for… pic.twitter.com/VHtgRtr1va
— Inter-American Development Bank (@the_IDB) June 24, 2026
Morocco equalized in the 39th minute through Achraf Hakimi, but Haiti surprised again just four minutes later with a shot from Wilson Isidor. Before halftime, Ismael Saibari made it 2-2, scoring his third goal of the tournament.
In the second half, Moroccan substitutes Soufiane Rahimi and Gessime Yassine led the African comeback, securing a 4-2 victory with goals in the 78th and 89th minutes, respectively, ending the Caribbean nation’s hopes of earning their first point in the tournament.
Meanwhile, Haitian coach Sébastien Migné summed up his nation’s feelings: “I’m sad for the Haitian fans… but I also want to say that we showed we deserved this qualification. We were in the right place. Now we need to make some improvements and not wait another 52 years.”
— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) June 24, 2026
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