Haiti arrive at the 2026 World Cup for only the second time in their history, ending a 52 year absence that ranks among the longest gaps between appearances in the tournament's modern era. Their sole prior appearance came in West Germany in 1974, where they faced Italy, Poland, and Argentina. They lost all three matches, conceding 14 goals while scoring two, both by Emmanuel Sanon. That group stage exit remains their only benchmark at a World Cup, which makes the return to football's biggest stage, against Brazil, Morocco, and Scotland, all the more remarkable.

Haiti earned their place in 2026 by winning CONCACAF third round Group C outright, without needing a playoff. With the three joint hosts, the United States, Canada, and Mexico, entering the tournament automatically and bypassing qualifying, the field opened up, and Haiti seized it. Striker Duckens Nazon finished as joint top scorer across all of CONCACAF qualifying with six goals. Coach Sébastien Migné, appointed in March 2024, built a side capable of grinding out results when it mattered. Haiti beat Costa Rica one goal to nil in the November window, then clinched qualification on 11/18/25, defeating Nicaragua two goals to nil in Willemstad, Curaçao.