(Kreyòl translation coming soon)

Should we merely be happy to be here? Are we just showing up for the vibes? Is the real prize the friends we made along the way? To those questions, I would answer: Capois Lamort would be appalled by that mentality.

Our first game at the World Cup has come and gone, and the result wasn't what we hoped for: a 1-0 loss to Scotland, settled by a John McGinn finish in the 28th minute. But there was nothing in that performance to be embarrassed about. We had our spells with the ball, we made Scotland work for it, and it took a scrappy rebound rather than any real undoing of our defense to separate the two sides. A first World Cup game in 52 years was always going to come with nerves, and against a disciplined, experienced European side, we more than held our own. So no, the scoreline isn't what we wanted. But if you'd watched this team in the months leading up to the tournament the way I have, you'd understand why I'm still hopeful. Here's why.

Haiti qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 52 years. That's a big achievement, yes, but is this it? Should we merely be happy to be here? Are we just showing up for the vibes? Is the real prize the friends we made along the way? To those questions, I would answer: Capois Lamort would be appalled by that mentality. Yes, it's true that, based on our FIFA ranking and competitive record, we are the weakest team in our group. But in today's football landscape, particularly in international tournaments, the notion of "small teams" is fast becoming outdated, and it is worth noting that defying expectations is something of a national specialty of ours. So while hopes of winning the whole thing may be a tad hyperbolic (for now), we can reasonably hope to make a good showing.

This current squad boasts a mix of experienced veterans and newcomers. While, due to the unfortunate circumstances in Haiti, only one of the players plays in the domestic national championship, the rest of the team play their trade in various leagues across Europe and the Americas. Although they may not all currently be playing at the very highest level, they are certainly familiar with the demands of performing at that level, and that familiarity may be invaluable for a good performance.

The wonderful thing about international tournaments that makes them so chaotic and unpredictable is that, unlike in club football, the coaches and players are together for only a few weeks each year. So with less time to develop deep team chemistry and complex tactical schemes, the emphasis is often put on pragmatism. There are benefits to keeping it simple and efficient. This can somewhat level the playing field for teams with fewer resources.

With the majority of our players hailing from the Haitian diaspora, a significant portion of them from France specifically, we get to reap some benefits of the excellent French youth football system. Some could see it as an ironic piece of reparations to hold us over while we wait for the full thing. That means our players have a sound technical background and do the basics well. This raises our floor as a team, and the difference has been notable in our performances, especially compared with past squads, when our players may have been just as willing but were not always as capable.

We've taken a massive step forward, and the run of friendly matches we played in preparation for the big showpiece has shown that. Our record during those games reads as follows: 1-0 loss to Tunisia, 1-1 draw with Iceland, 4-0 win against New Zealand, and 2-1 loss to Peru. While at first glance this may not seem all that impressive, the games themselves showed a team working through its strengths and weaknesses in real time.

The match against Tunisia showed us capable of dominating possession and creating chances against a team in the top 50 of the FIFA rankings. With a bit more luck and composure, we certainly would have had more to show from the 13 shots we created. Against Iceland, while we surrendered more possession, we remained in the game even after going behind, and our persistence earned us an equalizer near the end.

The game against New Zealand was certainly the highlight of this pre-tournament series. Played in Ft. Lauderdale in front of a sold-out crowd, this was the closest our squad got to a home game. The public showed up, and the team showed out. We ran riot, and it's not an exaggeration to say that the 4-0 scoreline flattered the Kiwis. That being said, as the only match we played against an opponent ranked lower than us, this was probably the least instructive of our four preparation games. But boy was it enjoyable!!!

The following match against Peru is where the juicy bits are. While we were ultimately undone by some slack defending on two corners, we led for much of the game and looked like the better team, and with some better decision-making in the final third, the game could've been put to bed. In the end, Peru's experience won out, but we had nothing to be ashamed of in our performance. Overall, this series of games showed a versatile team, capable of playing with the ball and without it, with technically skilled players all over the pitch willing and capable of playing for each other, a far cry from the "pace and power" stereotype that often plagues Black teams in international tournaments.

Speaking of talent on the pitch, let's have a look at some of the players who will be the key difference makers for us during this tournament. First and foremost, our starting goalkeeper is Johny Placide. With 81 matches played for the national team, he is our most capped active player. In addition to being a steady pair of hands capable of spectacular saves, his ball distribution is essential to getting our attacks started.

Then, at center back, we have Ricardo Adé, aka Kapitèn, aka La Pantera. He is the beating heart of this team, a calming presence at the back, always where he needs to be, always reliable. 

We can't speak of reliability without mentioning our right back, Carlens Arcus, constantly marshaling the right side of the pitch, as capable going forward as he is closing down opposing wingers. Our knowledge of human anatomy indicates that humans have two lungs, but further research may be needed to confirm whether Carlens possesses a third.

In the engine room of our midfield, we find the quiet but ever-so-reliable Danley Jean-Jacques. As a defensive midfielder, he is often tasked with doing the less glamorous work of breaking down opposing attacks and winning the ball back, but his technical ease on the ball and good reading of the game make him not just an old-school destroyer type, but also an excellent playmaker who can set his teammates up to excel.

Louicius Deedson is the kind of teammate who can make the most of the defense and midfield's hard work, and excelling is what he does. He found the back of the net at every stage of the World Cup qualifying campaign, and he is as dangerous on the wing as he is down the middle.

On the biggest stage, against the very best, we will need to rely on the very best, and Wilson Isidor is certainly among the very best. While he was among the last players to join the national team, Wilson mize nan wout men li pote bon nouvèl, he lingered along the way, but he brought some good news. Plying his trade with English club Sunderland, he was instrumental in their ascension to the highest level of British football with 9 in Sunderland’s Championship season. With his goalscoring instincts and experience at the highest level, he brings the sharp edge our team needed up front. Having already found the back of the net twice in just five appearances, we can hope that his start with the national team is an indication of how he means to go on.

There are two matches left in the group stage. We face our beloved Brazil on Friday, June 19. But with our preparation having gone smoothly, with some positive takeaways and areas for improvement, we approach this World Cup with a talented and determined squad, aware of our status as underdogs but well prepared and capable of looking anyone in the eye and defying expectations.