Haiti ended its participation in the 2026 World Cup after losing 4-2 to Morocco at the Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium), in Atlanta. Although the result confirmed their elimination, the Caribbean team left with a moment to remember: they once again celebrated a goal in a World Cup after more than half a century.
In just ten minutes, Haiti took the lead thanks to an own goal by Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou (Bono), who deflected the ball into his own goal. The goal broke a 52-year drought without Haitian celebrations in a World Cup and unleashed the euphoria of its fans.
The surprise increased in the 43rd minute, when Wilson Isidor hit a powerful shot from outside the area to make it 2-0 and sign the only goal scored by a Haitian soccer player in this edition of the tournament.
Morocco reacted before the break. Achraf Hakimi scored in the 39th minute and, already in added time of the first half (45+1), Ismael Saibari equalized the score. In the second half, Soufiane Rahimi completed the comeback in the 78th minute and Gessime Yassine sealed the final 4-2 in the 89th minute.
Despite the defeat, Haiti left a competitive image. During several passages of the match he put a Moroccan team in trouble, which ended up imposing its greatest hierarchy to ensure qualification for the round of 32.
Haiti’s elimination joins that of other Concacaf teams that were left out in the group stage. Panama, Costa Rica and Haiti failed to advance in a demanding World Cup for the region’s representatives.
Beyond the results, Haiti’s main legacy in this World Cup was to once again excite its fans. After 52 years without celebrating a goal in football’s biggest event, the team celebrated again and showed that it can compete against teams with greater tradition.
The challenge for Haitian soccer will be to convert that hope into sporting growth. The 2026 experience left positive signs, but also showed aspects to improve to aspire to overcome the group stage in future editions.
In the end, beyond the elimination, two indelible images will remain for Haiti: the own goal that ended a 52-year drought and Wilson Isidor’s spectacular left-footed shot, two actions that returned the Caribbean country to the prominence of a World Cup.