Woodensky Pierre, the only member of Haiti’s national soccer team who remains on the island, is the sole link between the country’s grassroots and its World Cup ambitions. His participation hinges on a U.S. visa that has been stalled by lingering travel restrictions from the Trump era, casting a shadow over the squad’s preparations.
A visa odyssey
The capital stadium in Port‑au‑Prince is deemed too unsafe for international fixtures, forcing Haiti to host qualifiers on Curaçao. In the meantime, Pierre trains in the comparatively upscale Pétion‑Ville, a suburb that offers a fragile sense of normalcy while he awaits clearance to join his teammates in Florida.
Compounding the diplomatic headache, former President Donald Trump’s travel policies continue to slow the processing of visas for Pierre and several other Haitian football officials, turning a sporting dream into a bureaucratic marathon.
Thecieux Jeanty, who first noticed Pierre during an under‑20 match in Honduras in 2022, describes the Haitian striker as a player of top‑level talent. Jeanty’s confidence in Pierre’s abilities underscores the personal connections that have shaped the team’s chemistry.
Haiti’s World Cup schedule is set to unfold on U.S. soil, beginning with a match against Scotland on June 13. Prior to the tournament, the squad will meet New Zealand and Peru in South Florida for warm‑up friendlies, while three additional players are slated to arrive in Florida later this week.
Beyond the visa saga, Haiti’s second World Cup appearance — its first since 1974 — carries a symbolic weight that resonates throughout the nation. The team’s preparation, anchored in Port St. Lucie, reflects a broader narrative of perseverance that inspires both players and supporters alike.