Frantzdy Pierrot says Haiti's World Cup run is giving the country hope

Frantzdy Pierrot, the former Maccabi Haifa striker, gave an emotional interview to Spain's Marca about Haiti's historic and uplifting run at the 2026 World Cup. Published on June 19, 2026, he said the team means far more than football for a country struggling with poverty, gang violence and political instability.

Pierrot described his difficult childhood in Haiti, saying there were days when his family had nothing to eat and his mother had to choose between eating herself or feeding the children. He recalled playing barefoot in the streets with oranges instead of proper balls, where broken glass would cut their feet and there was no money for hospital treatment.

He said Haiti's matches have become moments of national calm. Before the team's first game against Scotland, people gathered from 7 a.m. until kickoff, and that day there were no shootings or fights.