©️FHF
Port-au-Prince, 29 August 2025.- The Haitian Football Federation (FHF) has launched its first preparation program for senior male and U-17 selections. On this occasion, a symbolic talk was held at the El Rancho Hotel on Wednesday 27 August, in which two legends of the 1974 World Championship, Joseph Marion Léandre and Guy Saint-Vil took part.
Supported by a government grant of 100 million gourdes and the support of many sponsors, the U-17 selection is about to participate in the FIFA World Cup, scheduled for November 3-27, 2025 in Qatar, and will face Egypt, England and Venezuela.
Just a few weeks from their departure for Qatar, the young Grenadiers of the U-17 selection are determined to live a unique and historic moment: representing Haiti at the FIFA U-17 World Cup. At this stage, the Haitian Football Federation initiated a significant meeting: a talk with two emblematic figures of the 1974 epic.
Patrice Dumont, who took part in the meeting, told young grenadiers that there is no honor without responsibility. According to the coach, representing Haiti has no prizes. For their part, former globalists recalled the greatness of 1974 in order to boost the players more.
Beyond the symbol, the preparation of the selection is based on a substantial budget. The Haitian state has allocated 100 million gourdes, a gesture hailed by the FHF. Ms Gally Amazan, member of the Standards Committee, said: « To date, $580,000 has already been mobilized from a total budget of $1.3 million. These young people still need support, because it is about building the future of Haitian football. » According to her, other sponsors have committed themselves to this initiative.
The 1974 evocation served as a thread for the discussion. In Germany, Haiti had marked history as the first Caribbean nation qualified for a Senior World Cup. Fifty-one years later, the U-17s perpetuate this legacy, with the same mission: to unite a people around their young talents. These events not only inspired generations of young players, but also contributed to the development of technical coaching, the professionalization of clubs and the structuring of the Haitian sports sector.
Finally, by reconnecting the glorious past of 1974 to the promising future of 2025, Haitian football is developing a new dynamic. Ms. Gally Amazan, member of the FHF Standards Committee, stressed the importance of this World Cup for Haiti, in these terms:« We reaffirm our commitment to work in transparency, rigour and passion, to empower the teams in their ambitions and to give the Haitian people reasons for pride. Yon ekip, yon nasyon, live Grenadye yo! »
R.J.
