Haiti's Sole Home-Based Player Waits for Visa to Join Team

Woodensky Pierre trains on synthetic grass in Port-au-Prince, preparing for the biggest moment of his life while his 25 teammates practice together in Florida. He's the only player on Haiti's World Cup squad who still lives in the Caribbean nation, where gangs control 70% of the capital city.

The 2026 World Cup marks just the second time Haiti has qualified in its history. The first was in 1974, when nearly the entire team lived and played in Haiti.

Pierre grew up in Cite Soleil, a seaside neighborhood that has endured years of violence and hunger. It serves as a base for powerful gang leaders, and recent violence has displaced over 5,300 people from the area.

Despite the danger, Pierre plays for Violette AC in Port-au-Prince. His teammates on the national squad come from leagues in England, France, Portugal, Canada, and the United States.

Haiti's home stadium was deemed too dangerous for matches, forcing the team to play "home" World Cup qualifiers in Curaçao instead. But Pierre kept training, kept hoping, and helped his country qualify for football's grandest stage.

Why This Inspires

Haitian football federation spokesman Thecieux Jeanty first spotted Pierre's talent in 2022 during an under-20 match in Honduras. "I saw him as a top-level player," Jeanty said, and everybody's happy to have him on the team.

For Pierre, the World Cup represents more than athletic achievement. "It's a source of pride for him," Jeanty explained, adding that it's satisfying for officials and the Haitian public during a time of national crisis.

The visa delay comes as travel restrictions continue, but there's still time. Haiti plays warmup matches against New Zealand and Peru in early June before opening World Cup play on June 13 against Scotland.

Jeanty hopes this tournament opens doors for Pierre beyond Haiti's borders. "It's an opportunity to present himself to the world and await a contract," he said.

The team arrived in Port St. Lucie this week to begin training. Pierre continues waiting, practicing, and preparing to join them.

Haiti will face Scotland, five-time champion Brazil, and Morocco in group play. For a country enduring crisis, the team's presence at the World Cup sends a powerful message: "There is football in Haiti. It's a country that wants to live."