Overview:
Haiti’s women under-17 soccer team has reached the final round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying after a perfect group stage. Stronger Concacaf opponents now await as Les Petites Grenadières chase a spot in Morocco. To advance from Group C, they defeated Anigua and Barduda 6-1, Saint Lucia 5-0, Cayman Islands 3-0 and Guatemala 3-0 at Rignaal “Jean” Francisca Stadium in Willemstad, Curaçao.
CAP-HAÏTIEN — Haiti’s women’s under-17 national soccer team, Les Petites Grenadières, has advanced to the final round of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers after a dominant first-round showing — but far tougher challenges now lie ahead on the road to Morocco.
And Haitian fans have been delighted. “Congratulations on winning this last match, Grenadières! And not just that… four victories,” Annabelle Guichard, a Facebook user, posted on Feb. 2.
“You are truly strong! Let’s go, the Women’s World Cup awaits! Amazing!!! Congratulations to all the staff; your hard work and teamwork have paid off. Go, Haiti!”
Haiti swept Group C with four wins from four matches, outscoring opponents 17-1 at Rignaal “Jean” Francisca Stadium in Willemstad, Curaçao. Les Petites Grenadières opened with a 6-1 win over Antigua and Barbuda on Jan. 25, followed by victories against Saint Lucia (5-0), the Cayman Islands (3-0) and Guatemala (3-0).
That perfect run secured Haiti a place in the final Concacaf qualifying round, where the level of competition will rise sharply. The next stage is expected to feature regional powerhouses including the United States, Canada and Mexico, along with Jamaica, Costa Rica, Honduras, Panama, El Salvador, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. Concacaf has not yet released the official calendar and group composition, but the final round will determine which teams qualify for the World Cup, scheduled for October–November 2026 in Morocco.
Against elite opponents, Haiti’s strengths — discipline, collective defending and attacking efficiency — will be tested. While the team controlled possession and tempo in the first round, it will need greater consistency in build-up play and sharper execution under pressure to compete with more physical and tactically experienced sides.
Several players emerged as key contributors. Forward Keisha Gué led team Haiti in scoring with five goals in four matches, showcasing pace and composure in front of goal. Attacking midfielder Kerdina Lamour and striker Kyrah Lormil followed with three goals each, providing balance and creativity in the final third.
In midfield, Miya Larco stood out for her distribution and game management. The central midfielder completed 224 passes across the four matches, ranking among the tournament’s top 5 passers and anchoring Haiti’s buildup.
Although no Haitian player finished among the overall top scorers or assist leaders in the first round, supporters see promise in the group’s cohesion and technical quality.
“I see talent — it’s been a while since I’ve seen a young women’s team with this much potential,” fan Maxterson Toussaint wrote on Facebook. “Some of these players could eventually reinforce the senior team.”
As Les Petites Grenadières prepare for the final qualifying phase, the margin for error will narrow. Advancing to Morocco will require tactical growth, mental resilience and standout performances against Concacaf’s best — a challenge that will define this promising generation of Haitian footballers.
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