Overview:

Haiti’s men’s soccer team will play one of its most crucial games in decades on Monday, Oct. 13—an away World Cup qualifier against Honduras. With five points, tied with Honduras, Les Grenadiers lead Group C on goal difference but face a determined Honduran side seeking redemption after a scoreless draw with Costa Rica. Haiti must overcome the Central Americans’ ambitions to take a decisive step toward qualifying for next summer’s global event.

Haiti will play one of its most pivotal soccer games in recent history on Monday night, Oct. 13, when Les Grenadiers face Honduras away in a decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.

The stakes could not be higher. Both teams are unbeaten in the final round of Concacaf Group C, tied with five points each. Haiti sits in first place on goal difference after its 3–0 victory over Nicaragua last week, while Honduras trails closely after a frustrating 0–0 draw with Costa Rica.

A win for Haiti would bring the team within striking distance of its first World Cup berth since 1974. But in San Pedro Sula — one of the most difficult away venues in the region — the Grenadiers cannot afford complacency.

Few teams in the region are hungrier than Honduras right now. Local media and fans labeled the team’s performance against Costa Rica as “lackluster,” fueling a desire to bounce back at home.

“Honduras needs to play harder, be more aggressive, and play more attacking-minded on Monday against Haiti,” former national team star Amado Guevara told La Prensa. “The goals that were not celebrated today [Thursday, Oct. 9], we hope to celebrate them on Monday [Oct. 13].”

“It’s really the game. We have to leave the field with a draw at least because even if we tie, we will still be ahead of Honduras.”

Kervens Mérisema, soccer analyst

Defensive midfielder Kervin Arriaga, who plays for Levante UD in Spain’s La Liga, echoed that sentiment. “We have to turn the page and try to turn this around on Monday,” Arriaga said.

Honduras has yet to concede a goal in this round of qualifying — the only one of four teams in the group with a perfect defensive record. The Catrachos’ tall, physical backline, led by Getsel Montes (6-foot-4) and Arriaga (6-foot-3), will challenge Haiti’s aerial play and wide crosses that were so effective against Nicaragua.

Haiti faces key absence, must stay focused

For Haiti, the challenge is not only the opponent but also the environment. Monday’s game will be played in humid, high-pressure San Pedro Sula, where visiting teams often struggle. Adding to that difficulty, right back Carlens Arcus will miss the match due to yellow card accumulation.

Head coach Sébastien Migné may shift Jean-Kévin Duverne— typically a center back — to cover the right flank  — a position he’s familiar with — while newcomer Hannes Delcroix, an English Premier League defender for Burnley, could start for his debut alongside captain Ricardo Adé in central defense.

“We know it’s going to be hard,” Migné said in an interview with the Haitian Football Federation (FHF) media team. “But the Haitian people must know that the boys will give everything to bring them closer to a World Cup ticket.”

A match worth more than three points, as Haiti needs focus after Thursday’s celebration in Nicaragua

While not a mathematical decider, Monday’s clash could shape the trajectory of Group C. With only two games remaining after this one — against Costa Rica (Nov. 13) and Nicaragua (Nov. 18) — Haiti needs just seven more points (two wins and a draw) to guarantee qualification, regardless of other results.

“This game will be hot,” said soccer pundit Bertinie Chérizard on AyiboSport’s talk show. “We really need to give it our all on Monday.”

Analyst Kervens Mérisema added: “It’s really the game. We have to leave the field with a draw at least because even if we tie, we’ll still be ahead of Honduras.”

Concacaf Group C standings after the first three games of the third and last round of the World Cup qualifiers. Credit: Concacaf

After their dominant 3–0 win in Managua, the Grenadiers celebrated with singing and dancing in the locker room — a brief moment of joy in a grueling qualifying campaign. But now, they must channel that energy into discipline and focus.

“Haiti can smell the World Cup,” said Mérisema. “But to get there, they must match Honduras’ intensity and mental toughness.”

Haiti’s squad is deeper and more talented than in previous cycles, boasting players from top European and North American leagues. Yet, as Concacaf history shows, technical skill alone does not guarantee wins — especially in away qualifiers marked by physical play and hostile crowds.

Key players to watch: Casimir, Bellegarde and Nazon lead a new era of a team to fear

This new-look Haiti has emerged as one of the most exciting teams in the region. Josué Casimir, a 24-year-old winger from the French top-flight AJ Auxerre, impressed on the right flank against Nicaragua, assisting the opening goal with a well-worked cross. Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, Wolverhampton Wanderers FC midfielder from the English Premier League, continues to control the game’s tempo with composed dribbling and creative passing from midfield. His corner kick provided the assist for Danley Jean-Jacques’ header in the same match—to give Haiti a 2-0 lead at halftime.

Meanwhile, Duckens Nazon remains the team’s heartbeat in attack. The veteran forward has scored four goals in three games, including a memorable hat-trick in Haiti’s 3–3 draw with Costa Rica. His leadership and finishing have kept Haiti’s hopes alive.

Haiti has veterans and players in top European leagues who can help keep the team motivated. For example, Ligue 1 winger Casimir — the newcomer who provided the assist on the opening goal against Nicaragua — did not celebrate Nazon’s goal with him, but instead went to him and discussed ways to improve the team. That moment on the field after the goal, when Casimir (21) was seen face-to-face with Nazon (9) discussing, went viral on social media.

In addition to Casimir and Bellegarde, who play in top European divisions, the squad recently added talented Premier League center back Delcroix. He did not start against Nicaragua but could feature in the starting XI on Monday. 

As a tactical tool against Nicaragua, Haiti’s game plan relied on attacking through the wings and exploiting spaces behind the defense. That strategy may not work as easily against a disciplined Honduran backline. Expect Migné to emphasize ball circulation through Bellegarde and quick transitions involving Casimir and Nazon.

If Haiti can withstand early pressure and dictate tempo, their creativity and speed could break Honduras’ defensive shape. However, any lapse in concentration — especially on set pieces — could prove costly.

What’s at stake in the upcoming fixtures

A win on Monday would give Haiti eight points and a commanding position atop Group C, leaving them on the brink of their first World Cup qualification in 52 years. A loss, however, could send them into a tense November needing results against regional heavyweights Costa Rica and Nicaragua.

Regardless of the outcome, the match symbolizes how far Haiti has come — from instability and rebuilding to becoming a genuine contender on the regional stage.

• Oct. 13: Honduras vs. Haiti (San Pedro Sula, Honduras)
• Nov. 13:  Haiti vs. Costa Rica (Willemstad, Curaçao)
• Nov. 18: Haiti vs. Nicaragua (Willemstad, Curaçoa)

As Haiti prepares for what could be a defining night, the message from pundits and fans alike is clear: stay focused, play with heart and seize the moment.

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