Haiti celebrates its ticket to the World Cup 2026. Photo: Instagram / fhfhaiti

Sebastien Migne, appointed 18 months ago, has been forced to manage the Haitian national team remotely. This is due to severe instability in the capital Port-au-Prince, where armed gangs control much of the area, making domestic travel virtually paralyzed.

"I cannot go there; it's too dangerous. I usually live in the country where I work, but not this time. There are no international flights to Haiti," the 52-year-old coach recently told France Football.

Haiti has been in crisis since the 2010 earthquake. Violence, kidnappings, and gang conflicts have displaced 1.3 million people and plunged the nation of 12 million into severe poverty. Tourists are advised to avoid Haiti due to risks of crime, terrorism, and civil unrest.

Consequently, Migne relies entirely on information from leaders of the Haitian Football Federation, evaluates players through data, and communicates online. The French coach also works to persuade Haitian-origin players playing abroad to join the national team, such as Jean-Ricner Bellegarde (playing for Wolves), Josue Casimir (Auxerre), and Hannes Delcroix, who played for various Belgian youth levels and was called up to the Belgian national team in 11/2020.

Coach Sebastien Migne has never visited Haiti despite being appointed coach of the national team in 2024. Photo: Le Nouvelliste

Not only can the coach not visit, but the entire Haitian squad, now comprised of players based abroad, also cannot play on home soil. They must use a stadium in Curacao, 800 km away, as a temporary home ground.

It was in Curacao that Haiti defeated Nicaragua 2-0 in the decisive match, finishing first in Group C of the CONCACAF World Cup 2026 qualifiers with 11 points. This victory secured their World Cup spot alongside Panama and Curacao.

"It's wonderful that after a 52-year absence, Haiti will be on the biggest stage again," Migne said after the win against Nicaragua. While coaches of top national teams often face hundreds of reporters at crowded press conferences, Migne answered one reporter in an empty press room, with a few hundred fans watching the team secure their historic ticket.

"What makes me happiest is making everyone proud and letting the players see they are worthy," Migne expressed. "I sometimes pushed older players to their limits, but it wasn't in vain. We mapped out a path from the beginning, knowing we would face many challenges, but we didn't give up and achieved our goal together."

The French coach recalled the breakthrough journey in the final matches. After a 0-3 loss to Honduras in October, Haiti quickly rebounded, successively defeating Costa Rica and Nicaragua to claim first place in Group C. "We never panicked. I know how to manage situations because I previously helped another team qualify for the World Cup," he shared, referring to his role as assistant coach for Cameroon at the World Cup 2022 in Qatar.

Migne also expressed a desire to visit the Caribbean nation to directly assess the domestic football environment. "Certainly before we regroup in March. I want to see the coaching work in Haiti and how they play football. We will bring 26 players to the World Cup, and the message I send to them is that they themselves will show me their capabilities," Migne said.

The World Cup 2026 ticket brings new hope for Haiti, which had only participated one time in the World Cup in 1974. At that time, they were in a group with strong opponents Italy, Poland, Argentina and were eliminated early.

Hong Duy (according to Abola, Straits Times)