Overview:
Haiti-based defensive midfielder Woodensky Pierre landed in Fort Lauderdale on June 2 for the staff’s 2026 FIFA World Cup preparations, a dependable supply informed The Haitian Occasions. Pierre’s journey from Haiti to Florida was delayed because of the U.S. journey ban.
NEW YORK — Defensive midfielder Woodensky Pierre, the one Grenadier participant on the Haiti staff’s 26-man roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, arrived in Fort Lauderdale, on Tuesday, a supply near the participant informed The Haitian Occasions.
The supply spoke on situation of anonymity since he isn’t licensed to talk publicly on the matter. Pierre, 21, is the newest to affix his teammates within the remaining stage of preparations for the worldwide match.
Head coach Sébastien Migné, talking at a press convention at Inter Miami CF Chase Stadium Monday night time forward of Haiti’s pleasant in opposition to New Zealand on the venue, had stated he anticipated Pierre to land in Florida by Tuesday morning.
“Every part has been resolved,” Migné rejoiced. “Woodensky [Pierre] ought to arrive between tonight and tomorrow morning.”
Pierre is a key participant for the Port-au-Prince-based top-flight Violette Athletic Membership, and among the many most promising skills within the Haitian Soccer League at present. He has been named MVP of the league for 2 consecutive seasons, with Violette profitable back-to-back championship titles. He additionally gained the league in 2024 whereas on mortgage at Actual Hope Soccer Academy.
Haitian followers the world over are ecstatic to listen to information of his arrival, particularly as a result of Haiti-based gamers have been scarce on the nationwide staff in recent times after the league stopped working from 2019 to 2023 and because of immigration points and political instability. Haiti’s staff has largely been made up of the diaspora, in sharp distinction to the staff’s roster within the 1974 FIFA World Cup, when all however one of many gamers performed domestically.
Haiti will face Brazil, Morocco and Scotland within the group stage of the World Cup, which can happen in america, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19. Having a participant primarily based in Haiti on the world’s greatest stage brings a good better sense of delight to Haitian soccer followers.
“I’d be good to see him,” Dorian Rowe, an environmental scientist primarily based in Miami, stated. “It’s good that he’s coming. I’m completely satisfied, I hoped for that.”
Pierre was first referred to as up on the nationwide staff in March and has solely made one look to this point, coming off the bench in opposition to Iceland throughout a 1-1 draw on March 31. He impressed within the midfield as he made a number of correct passes and was positioned properly.
Pierre missed seven days of coaching
Les Grenadiers started their World Cup preparations on Could 26 in Port Saint Lucie and have a pleasant sport in opposition to New Zealand at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on June 2. So, Pierre missed the primary seven days of coaching and a pleasant sport.
Pierre’s journey to the U.S. was delayed because of the U.S.’ visa restrictions on Haitian nationals in June 2025, citing considerations that included visa overstay charges and gang-fueled safety points, in line with the White House.
The Haitian Soccer Federation bypassed the visa restrictions by buying an official passport for Pierre as an alternative of doing the method together with his common passport, the federation informed The Haitian Occasions on Could 27.
An official passport is often issued to authorities workers or people touring on behalf of the state for official functions, in line with Passport Index. After receiving his official passport, Pierre later obtained his American visa on June 1, sources stated.
Now that followers are assured that Pierre will be part of the staff for the World Cup, followers wish to see him try on the prestigious competitors.
“He’s going to play on the greatest stage on this planet,” Rowe, 37, stated. “When Haiti performs Brazil, all of Brazil goes to be watching — the entire world. If he performs an honest sport they may see him. Groups from all around the world will know him. And that might change his life.”