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Haiti World Cup 2026: An elimination that hurts as much as the statement from the Grenadiers' coach, Sébastien Minier
A bitter and crushing defeat that shatters the dream, the long-awaited hope of a people, but also stirs up the anger of fans against the coach.
PROFOOT
Germain Clarens
6/21/2026
Haiti 2026 World Cup: An elimination as painful as the Grenadiers' manager's statement.
Haiti fell to Brazil in Philadelphia (USA) at Lincoln Financial Field during a match highly anticipated by fans on both sides as part of the World Cup. Brazil dominated the entire first half, resulting in three magnificent goals, bringing the score to 3-0 in favor of the Seleção. The first goal, conceded in the 23rd minute, came from an error by a Haitian midfielder; the Brazilians recovered the ball and fired a beautiful shot from Vinicius, which was initially blocked by the Grenadiers' goalkeeper but unfortunately ended up crossing the goal line.
A mediocre Brazil.
For some observers and football fans, this Brazil was not a team to be feared. It was not the Brazil of the past that made all its opponents tremble; on the contrary, it was a rather average Brazil, somewhat mediocre in building play and prone to losing the ball frequently. The defense was not well-structured, and the team relied heavily on individual brilliance. Vinicius was immense, finishing as Man of the Match with a goal and an assist—in fact, he was involved in all three goals.
What about the Grenadiers?
Hope and motivation were high, with an entire nation united behind its national team alongside fans from around the world. The Grenadiers wanted to change the narrative and the global perception of Haiti. They gave their all, but they lacked something against a Brazilian team fueled by experience and technical skill. They lacked a bit more determination and courage, but in the eyes of some Haitian supporters, the coach, his lineup, his substitutions, and his experience with the national team are not universally accepted.
The Grenadiers' formation.
He opted for a 5-4-1 formation, which should have allowed the team to keep the score down and keep a clean sheet, but that was not the case as the defense looked disorganized. Players seemed unsure of what to do, with constant ball losses and, most notably, a defensive line that played far too high, which led to the third goal. In the second half, when he changed the formation, we saw a completely different team compared to the first half. This only fueled the anger of Haitians who consider the coach's choices illogical and egocentric, as he listens to no one but himself. Some have even called for his dismissal as head of the Haitian team following his numerous statements to the sports press, especially after the painful defeat against Brazil, which directly eliminates the Grenadiers from the competition.
Statement by Haitian manager Sébastien Minier:
"We fulfilled our mission by qualifying the team for the World Cup. Returning to the international stage for Haiti is no small feat."
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