Haiti's 52-Year Goal
Haiti Ends 52-Year World Cup Scoring Drought Despite Losing 4-2 to Morocco
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For the first time since 1974, Haiti scored a goal at a World Cup — and the streets of Port-au-Prince erupted in celebration. The breakthrough came on June 24, 2026, in Atlanta, when *Les Grenadiers* twice took the lead against Morocco before falling 4-2 in their final Group C match, according to AP News.
The result ends Haiti's 2026 tournament with zero points and three losses. But the two goals — Haiti's first at a World Cup in 52 years — turned a defeat into something that felt, for many Haitians, like a victory, according to The Star.
Haiti's 52-Year Goal Drought Finally Ends in Atlanta
The drought began in West Germany in 1974, when Emmanuel Sanon scored against Argentina in a 4-1 loss. No Haitian player found the net at a World Cup for the next 52 years. That changed in the 10th minute on June 24, when a cross forced a Moroccan own goal after pressure from Lenny Joseph, according to Yahoo Sports.
Haiti's Wilson Isidor then made it 2-1 in the 43rd minute with what The Post Register called a "thunderbolt" from outside the box. Isidor is being compared to Sanon himself. Haiti led twice — but Morocco hit back quickly both times, scoring four goals to seal the win.
Morocco Battled Back After Being Caught Off Guard
Morocco's Achraf Hakimi, the reigning African Footballer of the Year, equalized in the 39th minute. Ismael Saibari leveled it again just before halftime. Soufiane Rahimi gave Morocco their first lead in the 78th minute, and Gessime Yassine sealed it 4-2 in the 89th. Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi admitted it was a tough match. "Haiti had nothing to lose and played a good transition game," he said, according to The Star.
Moroccan media were critical of the Atlas Lions after the game. Analysts noted that the team nearly suffered what could have been the biggest upset of the tournament. Haiti entered the match as the lowest-ranked team in the group, sitting 83rd in the FIFA world rankings, according to Yahoo Sports.
Port-au-Prince Celebrates a Moral Victory Despite Three Losses
Haiti lost all three group games. They fell 1-0 to Scotland on June 13 and 3-0 to Brazil on June 19. The Brazil loss ended any chance of reaching the knockout round. But none of that stopped celebrations back home. Fans took to the streets of the capital after the Morocco match, treating the two goals as a national triumph, according to AP News.
Haiti conceded 8 goals across the 2026 tournament. That compares to 14 goals conceded in 1974 — a sign of real defensive progress over 50 years, even without a single point. Haiti's coach Sébastien Migné said he was proud of his players. "I am disappointed we could not earn a first point, but I am proud of how they battled," he said, according to The Winnipeg Free Press.
Haiti Looks Ahead With Renewed Hope After Historic Goals
Coach Migné used the post-match platform to call for more investment in Haitian football. He said he remains confident the team can qualify for the next World Cup and reach the Round of 32. The 2026 tournament, expanded to 48 teams, gave Haiti its clearest path back to the world stage in decades, according to CA Yahoo Sports.
Wilson Isidor's performance is expected to attract attention from European clubs. Higher-value transfers could bring more money into the Haitian Football Federation through FIFA's solidarity payment system. Haiti's FIFA ranking stands at 83rd — and the strong showings against Morocco and Scotland are expected to prevent a big drop in that number, according to The Post Register.
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