The Haitian national team lost 1-0 to Tunisia on Saturday evening at BMO Field in Toronto, Canada, in a friendly match as part of their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The match marked the first-ever meeting between the two nations.
Starting the match timidly, the Grenadiers were caught off guard as early as the 7th minute by Sebastian Tounekti, who capitalized on a through ball from Gharbi, also taking advantage of a somewhat loose defensive line on the Haitian side.
Head coach Sébastien Migné acknowledged the poor start in his post-match press conference, saying the team failed to begin the game well and that against an opponent ranked in the top 40 in the world, such lapses can quickly become costly. Tunisia is currently ranked 47th in the FIFA world rankings, compared to Haiti’s 83rd.
The Grenadiers quickly reacted, however, showing greater determination and commitment and putting their opponents in difficulty. Nevertheless, they lacked finishing throughout the match. Evidence of this included a poorly handled ball by Frantzdy Pierrot in the first half, as well as a header from Duckens Nazon that struck the post in the final moments of the match.
Migné expressed satisfaction with the team’s response after the break, noting that the second-half performance was encouraging despite the result.
Isidor Earns First Senior Cap
Wilson Isidor, the 25-year-old English Premier League striker who plays for Sunderland AFC, came on at halftime as a replacement for Frantzdy Pierrot and was quickly involved in the play, bringing mobility, availability, and a new dimension to Haiti’s attacking movement. The match represented his first senior international cap after switching his allegiance from France, where he had represented the national team at every youth level from U-17 to U-20.
Born in Rennes, France, to Haitian and Malagasy parents, Isidor confirmed his decision to represent Haiti on social media on March 17 after months of public calls from Haitian fans urging him to join the national team. Isidor is the first Haitian international to represent Sunderland.
While Isidor did not find the net, his movement and energy offered a clear upgrade to Haiti’s forward line and provided an encouraging sign heading into the World Cup. He joins a growing group of Europe-based players reshaping Haiti’s squad, including midfielder Jean-Ricner Bellegarde of Wolverhampton in the English Premier League and winger Josué Casimir of AJ Auxerre in French Ligue 1.
Jean-Jacques Red Card Creates Opening
Very influential in midfield throughout the match, Danley Jean-Jacques — a consistent starter for the Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer The Haitian Times — was sent off in stoppage time after receiving a second yellow card in the 90th minute plus three, according to ESPN.
His suspension for the next match against Iceland, scheduled for Tuesday, March 31, at BMO Field, will open an opportunity for other players. It could notably allow Woodensky Pierre, a promising talent from Violette AC who helped the club win the Haitian League in February The Haitian Times and a native of Cité Soleil, to earn his first minutes wearing the colors of the senior national team.
Louicius Don Deedson also entered the match in the 86th minute as a replacement for Josué Casimir, as Migné sought to add attacking presence in the closing stages.
Iceland Up Next — Behind Closed Doors
Haiti will return to BMO Field on Tuesday for a second friendly against Iceland. The match will be played behind closed doors, according to the Haitian Football Federation, which did not provide a specific reason for the decision.
Iceland, while not a World Cup-qualified team, is ranked higher than Haiti at 79th in the FIFA rankings. Analysts have noted that Iceland’s physical style, reliance on long balls, and set-piece threats mirror aspects of Scotland— Haiti’s opening opponent at the World Cup on June 14.
These two friendlies in Toronto are part of a broader arrangement organized by Canada Soccer, which scheduled supplementary matches for both Tunisia and Iceland against Haiti to ensure the FIFA World Cup preparation window could accommodate all four teams at BMO Field.
The Road to the World Cup
Haiti qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by finishing atop their qualifying group, sealing their spot with a 2-0 victory over Nicaragua. El-balad The qualification ended a 51-year wait, marking only the second World Cup appearance in the nation’s history since 1974.
The Grenadiers have been drawn into Group C alongside Brazil, Morocco, and Scotland — a demanding group that will test the limits of Migné’s squad. These friendlies are considered critical given Haiti’s limited exposure to top-tier and non-Concacaf opponents in recent years. The Tunisia match, in particular, was seen as a tactical rehearsal for the Morocco encounter, as analysts have noted that both North African teams share a similar identity built on defensive discipline and quick counterattacks.
Saturday’s match was played in front of thousands of Haitian fans in Toronto, reflecting the strong presence of the Haitian diaspora in Canada.
Starting XI for Haiti (4-2-3-1):
Goalkeeper: Alexandre Pierre. Defenders: Duke Lacroix, Hannes Delcroix, Ricardo Adé, Jean-Kevin Duverne. Midfielders: Danley Jean-Jacques, Leverton Pierre, Yassin Fortuné, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, Josué Casimir. Forward: Frantzdy Pierrot.
Substitutes used: Wilson Isidor (for Pierrot, 46′), Duckens Nazon (on during second half), Louicius Don Deedson (for Casimir, 86′).
Referee: Pierre-Luc Lauzière (Canada).
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