Overview:
Haiti’s U-17 women’s team has been mathematically eliminated from World Cup qualifiers after heavy losses to Puerto Rico (3-1) and the U.S. (9-0), playing without five key players due to visa issues, including their captain and starting goalkeeper. Les Petites Grenadières still have one more match left to play in the competition, but it’s for honor.
CAP-HAÏTIEN — Haiti’s U-17 women’s national team was all but eliminated from World Cup qualifying after heavy losses to Puerto Rico and the United States, with visa issues preventing five key players from traveling.
Without several starters, Les Petites Grenadières fell 3-1 to Puerto Rico on March 17 and 9-0 to the U.S. on March 19. The results made it mathematically impossible for Haiti to finish in the top two of its group, ending its hopes of qualifying for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco later this year.
Among those absent were star midfielders Kerdina Lamour and Dieunie Love Beaubrun, captain and defender Saraline Acher, starting goalkeeper Guerda Charles and her backup Shama Jean-Baptiste. Members of the Haiti-based coaching staff also could not make the trip, as host Costa Rica had refused them visas.
The absences quickly sparked frustration among fans, many of whom criticized the Haitian Football Federation (FHF) on social media.
“If you were serious, the whole team would have been present,” Blanndine Alpha wrote on Facebook, echoing broader concerns about the federation’s management of youth teams.
Progress overshadowed by recurring issues
The setback comes after months of optimism for Haitian soccer.
The senior men’s national team qualified for the World Cup in November, attracting high-profile foreign-born players like Sunderland AFC’s star forward Wilson Isidor. The U-17 men also secured their spot in February for back-to-back participation and the women’s senior team appointed a world-class head coach in Pia Mariane Sundhage. At the same time, the U-20 men’s team advanced in its own qualifying campaign.
But the inability to secure visas for key players highlights ongoing administrative challenges that have repeatedly disrupted Haiti’s youth programs.
In July 2024, nine Haiti-based players from the U-20 men’s team missed a qualifying tournament in Mexico for similar reasons. As a result, Haiti underperformed and did not qualify for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Short-handed squad fuels ‘what if’ debate
Haiti entered the second round of qualifiers in strong form, dominating weaker opponents 18-1 in the opening stage. But the team struggled without its full roster.
Against Puerto Rico, Haiti looked disorganized defensively and lacked cohesion in midfield. The issues were more pronounced against the United States, where players were often left unmarked and struggled to maintain possession.
Some observers believe the outcome could have been different with a full squad, particularly against Puerto Rico, though defeating the United States remained unlikely.
The qualification format allows group winners and the two best second-place teams to advance to the World Cup, scheduled for October and November in Morocco.
Fans expressed their frustration and support for the missing players online, with some suggesting their presence could have changed the team’s trajectory.
“Kedi [Lamour] if you were here and the Number 4 [Archer] we would have not lost the game [against Puerto Rico],” Fritz Marceus commented on Facebook.
One match left, focus shifts ahead
Haiti will close out its qualifying campaign against Bermuda on March 22, aiming to finish on a positive note.
Despite the elimination, the country still has another opportunity to qualify for another youth World Cup this year, bringing the total to three in one year. The U-20 men’s team is set to compete in the next round of qualifiers, scheduled for July and August. Haiti’s opponents and venue for that final phase are not yet known. Les Petits Grenadiers are awaiting Concacaf’s official draw and announcement of the host country.
For now, however, the U-17 women’s campaign ends with renewed questions about logistics and preparation—issues that continue to shadow Haiti’s progress on the field.
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