Overview:
Haiti defeated Costa Rica 2-0 on Sunday to open the 2026-2027 Concacaf Nations League campaign with two wins, strengthening its position in Group A’s race for the quarterfinals. The latest result is Haiti’s third victory over Costa Rica in their last six meetings since 2019; the other three games ended in draws.
Haiti’s men’s national soccer team continued its strong start under new coach David Badía on Sunday, defeating Costa Rica 2-0 for its second straight victory in the 2026-2027 Concacaf Nations League tournament.
At Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica, star midfielder Jean-Ricner Bellegarde struck from distance in the ninth minute before Costa Rica defender Francisco Calvo turned Fafà Picault’s shot into his own net in the 39th, giving Les Grenadiers a two-goal cushion they protected through the final whistle.
“A second victory in as many matches,’ the Haitian Football Federation (FHF) wrote on Facebook after the game.
“The Grenadiers continue to prove that their place at the 2026 World Cup was no invitation. They earned it through grit, sweat, discipline, and determination,” the statement continued.
The victory gives Haiti six points from its first two Group A matches and puts the team in the quarterfinal race. All three of the group’s undefeated teams won twice.
For Haiti, the matches carry significance beyond the standings. The national team returns to regional competition after a historic World Cup run. It competes to the delight of fans while the country faces a prolonged security crisis that has forced it to host “at home” international matches in Jamaica.
Players, born abroad to Haitian parents, joyfully represent the country on the international stage despite difficult conditions — providing an important connection between Haitians at home and in the diaspora.
Bellegarde gives Haiti early control
Sunday, Haiti needed only nine minutes to take control.
Bellegarde found space outside the Costa Rican penalty area after a sliding pass from Danley Jean-Jacques and unleashed a right-footed shot that beat goalkeeper Abraham Madriz, giving Haiti a 1-0 lead.
The midfielder, who plays for English second-tier club Wolverhampton Wanderers, was central to Haiti’s first-half control as the team moved the ball with greater intentionality and repeatedly tested Costa Rica’s defense.
Haiti doubled its advantage in the 39th minute. Picault’s shot took a decisive deflection off Calvo and wrong-footed Madriz, sending the ball into the net for an own goal.
The Grenadiers carried the 2-0 advantage into halftime.
The Ticos pushed forward after the break, but Haiti’s defense remained compact and disciplined. Rather than surrendering the initiative, Les Grenadiers absorbed pressure, closed passing lanes and looked for opportunities to attack in quick transition.
Costa Rica increased its attacking pressure but could not find a way through. Haiti held firm to preserve its clean sheet.
The victory also gives Haiti back-to-back wins against Costa Rica. The teams met twice last year during World Cup qualifiers, drawing 3-3 in a thrilling September match in San José before Haiti defeated Costa Rica 1-0 in November 2025 in Curacçao. The latest result is Haiti’s third victory over Costa Rica in their last six meetings since 2019; the other three games ended in draws.
Group A race tightens as Hispaniola derby comes next
Haiti’s victory came as the other Group A main contenders also collected points.
Curaçao followed its dramatic 4-3 comeback victory over Costa Rica in the opening round by routing Nicaragua 6-1. The Dominican Republic, meanwhile, defeated Trinidad and Tobago 2-1 to join Haiti and Curaçao at six points.
The opening round had produced three close Group A victories: Haiti rallied past Trinidad and Tobago 3-2 with two stoppage-time goals, the Dominican Republic also edged Nicaragua 3-2 with a late winner, and Curaçao came from three goals down to beat Costa Rica 4-3.
After two matches, the Group A standings are as follows:
#
TEAM
MP
GD
PTS
1
Curaçao
2
+6
6
2
Haiti
2
+3
6
3
Dominican Republic
2
+2
6
4
Trinidad and Tobago
2
-2
0
5
Costa Rica
2
-4
0
6
Nicaragua
2
-5
0
Concacaf’s League A format sends the top two finishers from each six-team group, A and B, to the quarterfinals. The four highest-ranked League A teams — Mexico, the United States, Canada and Panama — are already seeded into that round automatically.
Haiti’s next challenge comes Oct. 1 against its island neighbor in Santo Domingo.
The match will put two of the three unbeaten teams in Group A against each other with six points already on the table. Haiti then closes the group stage Oct. 4 against Costa Rica at Estadio Ricardo Saprissa in San José.
