Haiti Faces Tough Competition in Upcoming U-20 Soccer Championship

WHO:

The Haitian Times - Haiti’s senior men’s soccer team, known as Les Grenadiers.

The Haitian Times - Haitian social entrepreneur Mireille Bertrand Lhérisson.

The Haitian Times - Dominican President Luis Abinader.

Concacaf - Twelve national teams participating in the 2026 Concacaf U-20 Championship.

WHAT:

The Haitian Times - Haiti is placed in Group A of the 2026-2027 Concacaf Nations League alongside Costa Rica, Curaçao, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Trinidad and Tobago.

The Haitian Times - The Nations League serves as the primary qualification pathway for the 2027 Concacaf Gold Cup.

The Haitian Times - Each team in the Nations League will play four matches, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the quarterfinals in November.

The Haitian Times - The semifinalists of the Nations League will qualify for the finals at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, California, in March 2027.

Concacaf - The 2026 Concacaf U-20 Championship features 12 national teams competing for the regional title and qualification to the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2027 and 2028 Summer Olympics.

WHERE:

The Haitian Times - The draw for the Nations League took place in Miami.

The Haitian Times - Haiti has been playing its home matches in Curaçao since 2022 due to safety concerns in Port-au-Prince.

Concacaf - The 2026 Concacaf U-20 Championship is being held in an unspecified location.

WHEN:

The Haitian Times - The 2026-2027 Concacaf Nations League begins in September.

The Haitian Times - The quarterfinals of the Nations League are scheduled for November.

The Haitian Times - The Nations League Finals will take place in March 2027.

Concacaf - The 2026 Concacaf U-20 Championship kicks off on a Friday.

WHY:

The Haitian Times - The Nations League is a qualification pathway for the Gold Cup and indicates teams' potential for the 2030 World Cup.

The Haitian Times - Haiti's inability to host matches in its own country is due to safety concerns and inadequate infrastructure.

HOW:

The Haitian Times - Haiti's national team has been playing matches outside the country due to safety issues, specifically in Curaçao.

The Haitian Times - The Haitian Football Federation is evaluating candidates for a new coach after the departure of Coach Sebastien Migné.

(UPDATED July 25, 2026 01:29 UTC)

Haiti's senior men's soccer team, known as Les Grenadiers, has been placed in Group A of the 2026-2027 Concacaf Nations League, alongside Costa Rica, Curaçao, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Trinidad and Tobago. The Nations League serves as the primary qualification pathway for the 2027 Concacaf Gold Cup, with each team set to play four matches, and the top two from each group advancing to the quarterfinals in November. Meanwhile, Haiti's national team continues to play its home matches in Curaçao due to safety concerns in Port-au-Prince, and the Haitian Football Federation is currently evaluating candidates for a new coach following the departure of Coach Sebastien Migné.