Haiti’s long-awaited return to the World Cup after 52 years ended in narrow disappointment as they fell to a 1-0 defeat against Scotland in their opening Group stage match.
Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor, making his World Cup debut, started the game and played 76 minutes for the Caribbean nation. Despite Haiti’s best efforts, a clinical finish from Scotland proved to be the difference in Charlotte, USA.
Isidor’s Post-Match Reaction
After the final whistle, the 22-year-old forward shared his honest emotions
“Today was a very tough and emotional night for us. Playing in the World Cup for the first time in 52 years was a dream come true, not just for me but for all Haitians around the world.
We gave everything on the pitch. I’m proud of how the team fought until the final whistle, but unfortunately it wasn’t enough today. Scotland were clinical and scored at the right moment. We created chances but couldn’t take them — that’s football.”
This defeat hurts, especially after all the hard work we put in to get here. But this is just the beginning for us. We still have two more group games and we will give everything to make our people proud.
I want to thank all th fans who supported us — at the stadium and back home. We feel your love and energy. We will learn from this match and come back stronger.
Haiti will keep fighting. 🇭🇹”
Isidor’s words reflect both pride in the historic occasion and frustration at the result. The Sunderland man was lively in attack and showed glimpses of his Premier League quality, though Haiti struggled to convert their moments into goals.
A Historic Night Despite the Loss
For Haiti, simply competing at the 2026 World Cup represents massive progress. Isidor, who committed to the national team earlier this year, has quickly become one of their most important attacking players. His work rate and movement caused problems for Scotland’s defence throughout the match.
Manager for Haiti praised the team’s spirit after the game, noting that while the result was disappointing, the performance showed they can compete at this level.
What’s Next for Haiti and Isidor?
Haiti still have two group games remaining and will be determined to pick up points and keep their qualification hopes alive. Isidor and his teammates will now focus on recovery and preparation for their next fixture.
For Sunderland fans, seeing Isidor gain valuable experience on the biggest stage is excellent news. The exposure at the World Cup will only help his development when he returns to the Stadium of Light.
This defeat is painful in the moment, but as Isidor said — it is not the end. Haiti’s journey at the 2026 World Cup continues.
What do you think?
Can Haiti bounce back and get a result in their next match? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!
