Haiti's national football team is determined to change the global perception of their country at this summer's World Cup. While news channels often depict Haiti as a lawless state plagued by violence and chaos, with armed drug gangs controlling 90% of the capital Port-au-Prince, the players want to offer a different vision.
World Cup Qualification Amid Civil Unrest
Due to civil unrest, all of Haiti's qualification matches for the tournament in the United States were played away from home. However, the 20,000 fans who attended their recent friendly win against New Zealand in Miami showcased what this World Cup means to the Haitian people. The vibrant colors and noise they bring to the greatest show on earth promise to be a sight to behold.
Derrick Etienne Jr., a Toronto FC winger and key player for Haiti, is determined to ensure that positive image is what people remember. As he prepares for the Group C opener against Scotland in Boston, Etienne Jr. shared his thoughts on the team's mission.
Changing the Narrative
“There are going to be some emotions, that’s for sure,” Etienne Jr. said. “But the best way to handle that is to use it as motivation. We all understand what’s going on in Haiti. We want to make everyone proud, but we also want to change the narrative of how people see Haiti. That’s really important to us.”
He emphasized the team's maturity and confidence: “We have a mature group, a confident group, and I believe we can channel that energy in the right way. We can use it as an extra tool to motivate us.”
Support from Haitian Diaspora
Despite not being able to play in Haiti, the team feels immense support from the Haitian diaspora. “It’s been very difficult not to go back home and play in front of our fans, but whenever we go, they do an amazing job supporting us. There are always Haitians there,” Etienne Jr. noted. “The crowd in Fort Lauderdale was amazing, with energy from the first minute. That gives us confidence as we go to the big stage.”
He added: “We are not just representing ourselves, but also our nation. The fans are our 12th man. They’re going to have a party in the stands.”
Underdog Mentality
While few give Haiti a chance against Scotland, Morocco, or Brazil in their first-ever World Cup, the team remains unfazed by outside expectations. Alongside Etienne Jr., they boast players like Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor. “In terms of the team, we couldn’t really care less what the rest of the world thinks,” Etienne Jr. said. “We know how much work we’ve put in to get here. We know what we expect of ourselves on the pitch. That may be different from what others think, but we’ll change that narrative.”
He dismissed suggestions that their qualification was a fluke: “The rest of the world will probably say it’s an exception, or that it was luck. But this group can show it was more than that.”
Respecting Scotland
Etienne Jr. acknowledges the challenge Scotland presents. “I expect Scotland to be a very difficult game. They are compact, disciplined, and well-drilled. They will be hard to break down,” he said. “But if we are disciplined defensively, our athleticism will give them problems.”
He singled out Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay as a key threat: “McTominay is going to be a problem because of the top player he is. He showed his quality at Manchester United and now at Napoli. That’s something we’ll have to look at.”
Despite the tough task, Etienne Jr. remains confident: “We’ll respect all their players but also do what we can to make ourselves a good team. Understanding their strengths and bringing out our own will be key.”
