{"id":3215,"date":"2026-06-26T13:34:27","date_gmt":"2026-06-26T13:34:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southfloridamovingguides.com\/?p=3215"},"modified":"2026-06-26T13:34:27","modified_gmt":"2026-06-26T13:34:27","slug":"haitian-pride-lenny-joseph-and-wilson-isidor-make-fifa-world-cup-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southfloridamovingguides.com\/?p=3215","title":{"rendered":"Haitian pride: Lenny Joseph and Wilson Isidor make FIFA World Cup history"},"content":{"rendered":"
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ATLANTA, Ga. \u2014 When Haiti qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a 2-0 victory against Nicaragua on Nov. 18, 2025, the Caribbean nation had not qualified in 52 years.<\/p>\n

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Leer en espa\u00f1ol<\/p>\n

Haitians, who have been struggling with gang violence, had a reason to celebrate. Coach S\u00e9bastien Mign\u00e9, a former player, made it happen. <\/p>\n

In South Florida, Haitian Americans had a rallying cry, \u201cGrenadye, alaso!\u201d for \u201cWarriors, advance!\u201d Lenny Joseph and Wilson Isidor listened. <\/p>\n

On Wednesday, during the 10th minute of a definitive match against Morocco, Joseph, 25, became Haiti\u2019s first FIFA World Cup 2026 scorer.<\/p>\n

Haiti had not scored a FIFA World Cup goal since the legendary Italian goalkeeper Dino Zoff couldn\u2019t stop Emmanuel Sanon from scoring in 1974 in Munich. <\/p>\n

At the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou also could not stop Joseph\u2019s swift back-heeled flick at the near post.<\/p>\n

Isidor, 25, made FIFA World Cup history with a goal from outside the box at the 43rd minute. The forward\u2019s powerful shot flew into the top corner. <\/p>\n

Jean-K\u00e9vin Duverne, a defender, delivered the two assists: A low cross pass to Joseph and a short pass to Isidor just outside the penalty area. <\/p>\n

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Morocco won 4-2, and Brazil won 3-0 against Scotland in Miami Gardens. Both advanced in Group C to the tournament\u2019s Round of 32. <\/p>\n

Although the road was over for Haiti after the June 19 match against Brazil, the stadium in Atlanta was full of Haitian fans. The team had also gained new fans from other countries. <\/p>\n

In Colombia, the owner and employees of Saeta, a company that sponsored the Haitian players\u2019 jerseys, were grateful. They had never displayed their brand at a FIFA World Cup before. <\/p>\n

THE RISING STARS<\/b><\/p>\n

Joseph and Isidor, who were both born in France, are both of Haitian descent. <\/p>\n

Joseph was born in Paris. His father, Djimon Joseph, is of Haitian descent, and his mother is from Congo. He plays for the Hungarian club of Ferencv\u00e1ros. <\/p>\n

Isidor was born in Rennes. His father is also from Haiti, and his mother is French. He plays for the English Premier League\u2019s Sunderland A.F.C.<\/p>\n

Duverne, who is of Haitian descent, was also born in Paris. He plays as a right-back for Belgian Pro League club Gent while on loan from French club Nantes.<\/p>\n

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More on the FIFA World Cup<\/b><\/p>\n