Haiti stun the world when they made it to the Women’s World Cup stage. Now they want to script more fairytales at the finals. They are one of the eight debutants in the tournament after it was increased to 32 teams from this edition. Haiti are also the lowest-ranked CONCACAF nation in the competition. They are also facing serious issues outside the pitch for alleged sexual abuse and harassment of players against the president of the federation which has forced a normalization committee to take charge of proceedings for now.
Qualification for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023
Les Grenadières finished third behind USA and Jamaica in their CONCACAF Championship group to qualify for the inter-confederation playoffs which turned out to be a historical one. In the semi-finals of the playoffs, Senegal was their adversary whom they blew apart 4-0 with Kethna Louis and Nérila Mondésir getting a strike each while striker Roselord Borgella scored a stunning brace. The stunning moment came when they knocked out higher-ranked Chile in the final three days after. The match was a chaotic one as Melchie Dumornay put the Haitians ahead close to the break before scoring again in the eighth minute of the stoppage time. Not before her penalty got saved which would have killed the game early. Chile did hit the crossbar in between and almost creep back into the match with a last-minute strike from Maria Rojas but the occasion belonged to the nation Haiti to taste their first-ever World Cup.
Preparation for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023
Haiti played three friendlies and also took part in the 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games following their qualification. Nicolas Delépine’s side only managed to win just once in this period including defeats in all of their last four games. The previous friendly against South Korea ended in a 2-1 loss. Interestingly, Haiti took the lead in that match through Mondésir in the 14th minute of the match although the second-half comeback from the Asian giants dashed their hopes.
Haiti Squad for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023
Goalkeepers: Kerly Théus (FC Miami City), Lara-Sofia Larco (Georgetown University), Nahomie Ambroise (Little Haiti)
Defenders: Kethna Louis (Montpellier), Chelsea Surpris (Grenoble Foot 38), Milan Pierre-Jérome (Georges Mason University), Betina Petit-Frère (Stade Brestois 29), Tabita Joseph (Stade Brestois 29), Esthericove Joseph (Exafoot), Jennyfer Limage (Grenoble Foot 38), Maudeline Moryl (Grenoble Foot 38), Ruthny Mathurin (Rajin Cajuns)
Midfielders: Sherly Jeudy (Grenoble Foot 38), Danielle Étienne (Fordham Rams), Noa Olivia Ganthier (Weston FC), Melchie Dumornay (Lyon), Dayana Pierre-Louis (GPSO Issy 92)
Forwards: Roselord Borgella (Dijon FCO), Batcheba Louis (Fleury 91), Roseline Éloissaint (Nantes), Nérila Mondésir (Montpellier), Shwendesky Joseph (Zenit St. Petersburg), Darlina Joseph (Grenoble Foot 38)
Head Coach: Nicolas Delépine
Strength
The Caribbean nation has a clear plan in mind to execute. Maintaining solidity at the back and hitting teams on the counter. Their ferocious front three of Nérila Mondésir, Roselord Borgella and the starlet Melchie Dumornay will be making their act. Their pace, skill and precision could disrupt any defences on the day. All the forwards are able finishers as well taking their chance fully. They make Haiti dangerous going forward. The squad also have a good composition of foreign league players mostly plying their trade in the French divisions.
Weakness
Sharing a group with Asian Cup winners China, a talented Denmark team and European Championship holders England is never going to be easy for Haiti even with their unreal strive for success. Les Grenadières are also failing to avoid defeats that could potentially jeopardize their stay in the competition. The defence is failing to keep a clean sheet as well in spite of their compactness.
Key Player: Melchie Dumornay
An inspiring figure and rising sensation of women’s football in her nation, Melchie Dumornay will be important for Haiti to stand tall in the pinnacle competition of women’s football. Her two goals in the final of the playoffs send them to the Women’s World Cup and the story was made for her to do so. The first goal which came from a powerful shot at the near post after swivelling away from the marker and driving towards the box showed the immense quality Dumornay is bringing to the final. All at the tender of 19. Also known as Corventina, She won the Goal's NXGN award for promising talent last year and her being in a top club like Lyon says it all.
How will Haiti Lineup at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023?
Haiti FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Groups & Fixtures
Group D
China
Denmark
England
Haiti
Fixtures
Saturday, 22 July 2023
England vs Haiti - Brisbane Football Stadium, Brisbane (15:00)
Friday, 28 July 2023
China vs Haiti - Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide (16:30)
Tuesday, 1 August 2023
Haiti vs Denmark - Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth (16:30)
Prediction
Even though Haiti have everything to cause an upset, the level of opposition in their group will provide a different playing ground altogether. However, their spirit and motivation will be key to driving the team forward and making the impossible possible. They have already done the unthinkable by qualifying for the Women’s World Cup in the first place which will be on their minds when take to the pitch on the main stage.
Note: All timings are in Indian Standard Time (IST)
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