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Haiti

Haiti soccer information

Haiti again proved themselves a dangerous team in the Caribbean zone, though their attempt to reach the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany? - 32 years after their only appearance at the world?s showpiece event in the same country - ended before the preliminary semi-final stage.

Even without the political disturbances that racked the nation in 2004, a return to the sight of their past high point was always going to be unlikely. But the Haitians, who were the first Caribbean nation to join FIFA, showed strength in the face of adversity and battled bravely until a 3-0 loss in the second leg of their second round qualifying tie with Jamaica put an end to their dreams.

In the previous round, coach Fernando Clavijo and his charges, who were based in Southern Florida, managed to brush aside Turks and Caicos 7-0 on aggregate and draw the powerful Reggae Boyz 1-1 in the first leg. Corriolan Wadson missed a penalty in the match, which was hosted in Miami, or else Haiti may have gone into the second leg clinging to a slight lead.
But, the memories of Germany ?74 remain for the Haitians. They went home from that tournament with zero points and a minus-12 goal difference, but they were in a dreadfully difficult group with Italy, Argentina and Poland and the achievement itself now stands as a reminder to the forlorn islanders. Until Jamaica appeared at France 98, it was the only time a Caribbean nation managed to reach the finals, and that was when only one side from the North, Central American and Caribbean Zone qualified for the competition.
In the qualifying tournament for Argentina ?78, Haiti finished second behind Mexico, but it has been rather downhill since then. Political and economic difficulties have naturally had an effect on the ability of the nation of over 7.5 million to keep their footballing dreams alive. After not even attempting to qualify for Italy ?90, they have now failed to emerge from the Caribbean zone in their subsequent four tries.

Founded
1904

Affiliated
1933

WC participations
1 (1974)

WC honours None

Continental Titles
CCCF champions (1957), CONCACAF champions (1973)

Facts
On 13 December 1973, Haiti realised a football dream. With a 2-1 win against Guatemala they qualified for their first ever FIFA World Cup finals.

In their first FIFA World Cup finals game in 1974 Haiti made football history. Striker Emmanuel Sanon struck a shot past star goalkeeper Dino Zoff, ending the Italian's record 1,143 minutes of international games without conceding a goal. Even so, Haiti were eliminated in the group round and have not qualified for the finals since.

In the preliminary competition for the 2002 FIFA World Cup?, Haiti were beaten in the semi-final play-offs by Honduras. Their most outstanding result came in 2001 with a 12-1 victory over the US Virgin Islands.