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Haiti’s U-17 men’s national team is heading to the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar after an outstanding performance in the Concacaf qualifiers. The young Grenadiers topped Group E with three consecutive victories, scoring 10 goals while keeping a flawless defensive record.
Haiti sealed their World Cup qualification with a decisive 2-0 victory over Guatemala at Estadio Cementos Progreso in Guatemala City. Djouby Jean-Phillippe opened the scoring in the eighth minute with a well-placed shot from outside the box. Miguel Joseph later secured the win with a stunning strike in stoppage time.
This win capped off an impressive run for Haiti, who had already demonstrated their attacking power and defensive stability in the group stage. With wins in all three of their matches, they finished atop Group E, confirming their place among Concacaf’s elite.
This marks Haiti’s third appearance at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, having previously competed in 2007 and 2019. While their past campaigns ended in the group stage, this generation of young talents is eager to make a deeper run in 2025.
The team’s standout performers include Emerson Laïssé, who finished as Haiti’s top scorer with three goals, alongside key contributors Nikolai Pierre and Franco Celestine, who both scored twice. Haiti’s defensive record was equally remarkable, as they did not concede a single goal throughout the qualifiers.
With their place secured, Haiti now turns its focus to preparing for the World Cup. The tournament in Qatar will provide a platform for the young Grenadiers to compete against the best teams from around the world.
Haiti joins Canada, Mexico, and Costa Rica as Concacaf’s representatives, aiming to make history on the world stage. Their qualification reflects the progress of Haitian football at the youth level and brings hope for the country’s future in international competitions.
