Soccer-Haiti name World Cup squad for first appearance since 1974


Jun 15, 2025; San Diego, California, USA; Haiti forward Duckens Nazon (9) dribbles downfield during the first half of a group stage match of the 2025 Gold Cup at Snapdragon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

(fixes spelling of Johny ⁠in first paragraph and squad list)

May 15 (Reuters) - Haiti named ⁠their World Cup squad on Friday, with captain Johny ‌Placide and all-time top scorer Duckens Nazon included as Les Grenadiers prepare for their first finals in 52 years.

French coach Sebastien Migne selected an experienced ​squad led by 38-year-old goalkeeper Placide, who ⁠plays for Bastia, while ⁠Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Jean-Ricner Bellegarde is among the team's most recognisable ⁠European-based ‌players.

Nazon, who has 44 goals in 76 appearances, was also selected after playing a key role in ⁠qualification, with the striker from Iranian club Esteghlal ​netting six times ‌during the campaign.

The Caribbean side will play at the men's ⁠World Cup ​for only the second time, and first since the 1974 tournament in West Germany, after topping their CONCACAF qualifying group.

They had to ⁠play all of their home matches at ​neutral venues because of the country's security crisis.

Haiti will play warm-up matches against New Zealand and Peru before opening their Group ⁠C campaign versus Scotland on June 13 followed by games with five-times champions Brazil and Morocco.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Johny Placide, Alexandre Pierre, Josue Duverger

Defenders: Carlens Arcus, Wilguens Paugain, Duke Lacroix, Martin Experience, JK ​Duverne, Ricardo Ade, Hannes Delcroix, Keeto Thermoncy

Midfielders: ⁠Leverton Pierre, Carl-Fred Sainte, Danley Jean-Jacques, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, Woodensky Pierre, Simon ​Dominique

Forwards: Louicius Deedson, Ruben Providence, Josue ‌Casimir, Derrick Etienne, Wilson Isidor, Duckens ​Nazon, Frantzdy Pierrot, Yassin Fortune, Lenny Joseph

(Reporting by Janina Nuno Rios in Mexico City; Editing by Ken Ferris)

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