The Haitian U-20 selection saw its dream of qualifying for the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2027 fly away on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. Opposed to Costa Rica in the quarter-finals of the Concacaf U-20 Championship, the young Grenadiers bowed to the goal after a draw (1-1) at the end of the time.
The young Grenadiers had however opened the score in the first period before seeing the Costa Ricans equalize after the break. Costa Rica finally won 5-3 in the shootout session. The stakes were considerable, since the four semifinalists of the Concacaf U-20 Championship automatically won their ticket to the 2027 World U-20. This competition is also the first step in the qualifying journey to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, which gives this elimination a particularly bitter taste for Haitian selection.
Despite this disillusionment, the Grenadiers left the tournament with reasons for hope. Throughout the competition, they demonstrated beautiful qualities and long maintained the hope of a place in the last square. If the global dream moves away for this generation, the experience gained at the highest regional level could be a valuable asset for its further development and for the future of Haitian football.
