Overview:
As Haiti prepares for the World Cup, upcoming friendlies against Tunisia and Iceland offer key tests. Analysts say Tunisia mirrors Morocco’s style, while concerns remain over player form and midfield depth.
CAP-HAÏTIEN — Haiti’s upcoming friendly against Tunisia could provide a crucial preview of its World Cup matchup with Morocco, analysts say, as both North African teams share a similar tactical identity built on defensive discipline and quick counterattacks.
“They have the same style of play, same thought process, we couldn’t have found a better opponent than Tunisia to give us a sense of what it will be like to play against Morocco,” sports reporter Caleb Jephte Pierre told The Haitian Times.
Les Grenadiers face Tunisia today, March 28, at BMO Field in Toronto at 8 p.m. ET, before taking on Iceland at the same venue on March 31 at 9:30 a.m. ET. The Iceland match will be played behind closed doors, according to the Haitian Football Federation (FHF), without providing a specific reason.
While Tunisia offers a strong tactical comparison to Morocco, Iceland presents a different test. Known for physical play, long balls and set-piece threats, Iceland mirrors aspects of Scotland—another of Haiti’s World Cup opponents.
Haiti enters the tournament facing a challenging group that includes Brazil, Scotland and Morocco. Analysts say these friendlies are critical, especially given Haiti’s limited exposure to top-tier and non-Concacaf opponents in recent years.
“Wilson Isidor plays at a high level. There’s no team in the Caribbean that wouldn’t want Isidor. I’m very happy. He’s going to boost up our attack.”
Michelet Jerôme, Haitian soccer fan
The last time Haiti faced a top-10 FIFA-ranked team was in 2018, when it lost 4-0 to Argentina. Over the past five years, the team has played only a handful of matches outside the region, including against Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia.
Iceland isn’t a World Cup team but is ranked higher than Haiti, sitting at 79th place, while Tunisia is in 47th spot in FIFA’s rankings compared to Haiti’s 83rd. Some fans wanted Haiti to face even higher-ranked opponents.
Building chemistry, but concerns remain
With several new players joining the squad, the friendlies also serve to build chemistry. One of the most anticipated additions is Sunderland AFC striker Wilson Isidor, an English Premier League player, who recently committed to representing Haiti.
Fans are eager to see how he performs against Tunisia’s defense, which includes top-flight players such as Ali Abdi of Nice and Montassar Talbi of Lorient.
Still, concerns remain about the lack of consistent minutes for attacking players at the club level.
Isidor started the season strongly but has not scored since October and has seen limited playing time recently. Other key forwards—including Duckens Nazon, Frantzdy Pierrot and Louicius Don Deedson—have also struggled for minutes. Nazon, for example, has not played for Iran’s Esteghlal FC since early February.
Despite this, analysts still view the attack as Haiti’s strongest unit.
“Isidor up top, Ruben Providence on the right and Yassin Fortuné on the left,” Pierre said, outlining his preferred front three. “Yassin is in good form after scoring twice for his club.”
Yassin Fortuné is Haiti’s most in-form striker, scoring two goals for F.C. Vizela in March. Photo credit: Haitian Football Federation
Midfield remains a weak link as results are secondary to preparation
If the attack inspires confidence, the midfield raises concerns—particularly the defensive midfield role.
“We’re rich in attack but not in midfield,” said Michelet Jerôme, a fan in Port-au-Prince.“We need to be strong overall. If the whole team isn’t performing well they will exploit our weaknesses.”
Newcomer Woodensky Pierre enters in good form after helping Violette AC win the Haitian League in February, while Danley Jean-Jacques has been a consistent starter for the Philadelphia Union in MLS. However, Leverton Pierre’s limited club minutes could affect his impact.
In defense, Haiti will be without right back Carlens Arcus due to a groin injury, but coach Sébastien Migné can rely on Jean-Kevin Duverne as a replacement. Starting goalkeeper Johny Placide is also unavailable due to injury and is likely to be replaced with Alexandre Pierre, who is consistently playing for Football Club Sochaux-Montbéliard in France’s third division.
For some analysts, results in these friendlies matter less than performance and learning.
“Losing will keep the guys hungry,” Pierre said. “That way they won’t think they’re ready yet but we need to play two good games and show what Haiti can do.”
As Haiti fine-tunes its squad, the Tunisia match may offer the clearest indication yet of how Les Grenadiers will fare against Morocco—and whether they are ready for the global stage.
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