This week, England narrowly defeated the Caribbean’s first team on the lineup of the 2023 Women’s World Cup, Haiti, in their competition opener, with a 1-0 lead. But, the loss is not the end for this groundbreaking team. Haiti will play China on Friday, July 28 and Denmark on Tuesday, August 1.
This year’s expanded format of the FIFA Women’s World Cup has handed berths to eight debutant countries, including Haiti, just the second Caribbean country to qualify for a Women’s World Cup. Haiti’s qualification is a landmark achievement for the country; it’s the first time in over 40 years that a Haitian national team has qualified for a World Cup, with Haiti’s national women’s team, Les Grenadières, matching the men’s achievement in 1974. The highlight of their stellar march to Ocenaia was their surprise victory over Chile, which sealed their qualification.
Haiti’s women’s football team’s style of play
Built around a golden generation of players who made the Under-20 World Cup in 2018, the Haitian national team has emerged as one of the more competitive teams from the CONCACAF region. Headlining the team is the 19-year-old midfielder, Melchie Dumornay, nicknamed “Corventina.” Corventina’s talent is incalculable. After two stellar seasons at Reims, she signed for French powerhouse Lyon, one of the most successful European women’s football clubs in the world. Corventina has a knack for popping up on the opponent and finishing off divisive plays.
The youth movement does not stop at Corventina. Danielle Étienne and Dayana Pierre-Louis will be expected to contribute heavily towards Les Grenadières efforts on the pitch if there’s any hope for success. Étienne is from footballing stock; her father and brother have both played international games for the Haitian men’s senior team, with the latter plying his trade in the US-Football league MLS. Étienne has become a fan favorite, lacing up for the national team just three months after giving birth.
Controversy in Haiti affecting the team
Importantly, we have to acknowledge the challenging circumstances Haiti has faced, including the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, along with the burdens of insecurity and natural disasters that have affected the nation. Undoubtedly, this controversy has affected this Women’s World Cup team.
In November 2020, FIFA’s ethics committee imposed a lifetime ban on Jean-Bart, accusing him of alleged harassment and sexual abuse directed towards female footballers. The Guardian’s, a UK news outlet, investigations played a pivotal role in this decision. However, in March 2022, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) overturned the sentence. Despite FIFA’s appeal, Swiss federal judges ultimately ruled in favor of CAS in July 2023. Jean-Bart maintains his innocence, denying any wrongdoing.
Under Nicolas Delépine’s management the Haitian national team has defied every expectation to compete among the best teams in the world for a shot at international glory. While Delépine has remained realistic about their chances in emerging from a tough group draw, all of Haiti is abuzz, excited to be on the world stage again.
