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Haiti’s women’s football teams had a defining week with two important matches at different levels. While the U-20 team suffered a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat to Guyana, ending their Concacaf World Cup qualification hopes, the senior squad held Morocco to a 1-1 draw in an encouraging international friendly.
The U-20 Grenadières entered their final group-stage match against Guyana in a strong position, leading Group A with six points and a +6 goal difference. A draw would have secured their qualification for the next phase of the Concacaf qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
However, Guyana, which had four points before the match, managed to secure a crucial 1-0 victory. Despite Haiti’s dominance in previous games—a 3-1 win over Antigua & Barbuda and a 4-0 victory over Belize—they were unable to find the goal they needed to advance. The loss ended their journey in the qualifiers, marking a disappointing exit after a promising start.
Senior Team Holds Morocco in Friendly Match
On the same day, Haiti’s senior women’s team took the field in Casablanca, Morocco, for an international friendly against the host nation. The Grenadières delivered a solid performance, securing a 1-1 draw against a competitive Moroccan side.
Haiti took the lead in the 38th minute when Nerilia Mondésir found the back of the net after an assist from Sherly Jeudy. However, Morocco responded quickly, equalizing just five minutes later with a free kick from Ghizlane Chebbak.
Despite the absence of starting goalkeeper Kerly Théus, debutant Kaïna Cesar put in a strong performance between the posts. The draw was a positive result for Haiti, especially as the team prepares for future international competitions.
A Tough Lesson for the U-20s
While the U-20 team faces the disappointment of an early exit, the senior squad continues to show progress against strong opponents. The contrasting results highlight the different stages of development for Haiti’s women’s teams—one aiming to qualify for a World Cup, the other gaining experience against high-level competition.
Haiti’s football federation will need to focus on strengthening the youth program while ensuring the senior team maintains its upward trajectory. The U-20 elimination serves as a reminder of the challenges in international competition, while the senior team’s draw in Morocco shows potential for growth.
