The lone representative of the Haitian national soccer team still based in Haiti is currently waiting for a U.S. visa to travel to Florida ahead of the World Cup.
Woodensky Pierre, a defensive midfielder for Violette AC in Port-au-Prince, faces considerable challenges, as roughly 70% of the city is controlled by violent gangs.
The rest of the World Cup squad, which includes 25 players, is competing in various leagues across the U.S., Canada, England, Portugal, and France.
This upcoming World Cup marks a significant moment for Haiti, being only their second time at this prestigious event, with their first and only appearance back in 1974.
According to Teshu Gentil from the Haitian Football Federation, nearly all the players from the 1974 squad were active in Haiti at that time.
Pierre, along with over a dozen officials from the Haitian Soccer Federation, has not yet received a visa, amid increased travel restrictions from the Trump administration affecting countries like Haiti.
While he awaits his visa, Pierre is actively training on an artificial turf field in the upscale Petion-Ville area of Port-au-Prince and is eager to join his teammates, as Gentil shared in a recent phone conversation.
“I really hope he won’t have to stay in Haiti after the World Cup,” Gentil expressed. “This is a chance to showcase his talent and possibly secure a contract.”
The team has had to relocate their “home” matches to Curaçao as their local stadium is no longer safe for play, which is quite a setback for the players.
Pierre’s background adds another layer of significance to this opportunity. Hailing from Cité Soleil, a troubled seaside community grappling with violence and poverty, his journey resonates with many in Haiti. The area has been the site of numerous atrocities, with over 5,300 individuals recently displaced due to ongoing conflict, according to reports from the United Nations.
Gentil reflected on the pride that comes with Pierre’s participation in the World Cup, noting its importance for both the soccer community and the broader populace amid the ongoing crisis in Haiti.
Attempts to reach Pierre for comment have been unsuccessful, nor has there been a response from the team’s coach.
The national team made its way to Florida on Sunday, with players beginning training in Port St. Lucie shortly thereafter. A few other players are expected to join on Wednesday.
Fortunately, there’s still a window to address Pierre’s visa issues, as Haiti will have two warm-up matches prior to the World Cup—first against New Zealand, and then against Peru on June 5 in South Florida.
Haiti is set to kick off their World Cup journey against Scotland on June 13 in Foxborough, Massachusetts, followed by matches against Brazil on June 19 in Philadelphia and Morocco on June 24 in Atlanta.
Jeanty, a key figure in the team, recalled first connecting with Pierre back in 2022 during an under-20 match in Honduras.
“He’s definitely a player at a high level,” Gentil added, expressing enthusiasm about having Pierre as part of the squad.
“Haiti has soccer,” Jeanty affirmed. “It’s the place I want to call home.”
