Woodensky Pierre, the only member of Haiti's national football team still in the Caribbean nation, has been granted a US visa, allowing him to travel and compete in the upcoming World Cup, an official confirmed on Tuesday.
Thecieux Jeanty, spokesperson for Haiti's football federation, said Pierre was due to fly to Florida on Tuesday. 'It was a great moment for him, a moment of happiness,' Jeanty told the Associated Press.
There had been fears Pierre would miss the tournament as the Trump administration continues to expand travel restrictions from countries including Haiti. His teammates had already arrived in Florida last week to begin World Cup preparations. This is only the second time Haiti has qualified for the tournament, their last appearance being over 50 years ago.
While awaiting his visa, Pierre trained with local players in an upscale district of Port-au-Prince. The team's main stadium was deemed too dangerous, forcing Haiti to host qualifiers in Curaçao. Pierre comes from Cite Soleil, a seaside slum that has endured violence and hunger for years and is a base for powerful gang leaders.
Haiti are set to play warm-up matches against New Zealand on Tuesday and Peru on Friday. Their World Cup campaign begins on June 13 in Foxborough, Massachusetts, against Scotland, followed by matches against Brazil on June 19 in Philadelphia and Morocco on June 24 in Atlanta.
