{"id":1621,"date":"2026-05-27T20:35:55","date_gmt":"2026-05-27T20:35:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/raleighmovingnews.com\/?p=1621"},"modified":"2026-05-27T20:35:55","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T20:35:55","slug":"sole-player-who-lives-in-haiti-awaits-us-visa-as-his-squad-prepares-for-the-world-cup-in-florida","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/raleighmovingnews.com\/?p=1621","title":{"rendered":"Sole player who lives in Haiti awaits US visa as his squad prepares for the World Cup in Florida"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) \u2014 The only member of Haiti\u2019s national soccer team who is based in the troubled Caribbean country is awaiting a U.S. visa to join the squad in Florida just weeks before the start of the World Cup.<\/p>\n

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Woodensky Pierre is a defensive midfielder who plays for Violette AC in Haiti\u2019s capital, Port-au-Prince. An estimated 70% of that city is under siege by violent gangs.<\/p>\n

The other 25 players on the World Cup squad play outside the country, coming from leagues in places like England, France, Portugal, Canada and the United States.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s World Cup will be only the second for Haiti in its history \u2014 the country\u2019s only other appearance on soccer\u2019s biggest stage was in 1974.<\/p>\n

Haitian soccer federation spokesman Thecieux Jeanty said all but one player on the 1974 World Cup team was living and playing in Haiti at that time.<\/p>\n

The U.S. visas for Pierre and nearly a dozen other officials with the Haitian soccer federation have yet to come through as the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump continues to expand travel restrictions from countries including Haiti.<\/p>\n

Pierre continues to train at a field with synthetic grass in P\u00e9tion-Ville, an upscale area of Port-au-Prince, as he awaits his visa, \u201cin hopes of being with his team as soon as possible,\u201d Jeanty told The Associated Press in a phone interview Wednesday.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope he doesn\u2019t have to live in (Haiti) after the World Cup,\u201d Jeanty said. \u201cIt\u2019s an opportunity to present himself to the world and await a contract.\u201d<\/p>\n

The team\u2019s home stadium in Port-au-Prince \u2014 not far from the neighborhood where Pierre is from \u2014 was deemed too dangerous, forcing Haiti to play its \u201chome\u201d World Cup qualifiers in Cura\u00e7ao.<\/p>\n

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Pierre is from Cite Soleil, a seaside slum that has endured violence and hunger for years and serves as a base for powerful gang leaders. Cite Soleil has seen multiple massacres and gang rapes, with violence recently displacing more than 5,300 people, according to the latest report from the U.N.\u2019s International Organization for Migration.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a source of pride for him,\u201d Jeanty said of Pierre being able to play in the World Cup. \u201cIt\u2019s satisfying for (soccer) officials and for the public, too. As you know, Haiti is in crisis.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pierre did not return messages seeking comment, and neither did the team\u2019s coach.<\/p>\n

Officials for Haiti\u2019s squad arrived in Florida on Sunday, and players began training in Port St. Lucie on Tuesday. Three other players are scheduled to arrive on Wednesday, Jeanty said.<\/p>\n

There is still time to resolve Pierre\u2019s situation. Haiti will play two World Cup warmup matches, first against New Zealand on Tuesday and then against Peru on June 5, in South Florida.<\/p>\n

Haiti opens World Cup play on June 13 in Foxborough, Massachusetts, against Scotland, then plays five-time champion Brazil on June 19 in Philadelphia and Morocco on June 24 in Atlanta.<\/p>\n

Jeanty said he first made contact with Pierre in 2022, when they traveled together to Honduras for a under-20 match.<\/p>\n

\u201cI saw him as a top-level player,\u201d Jeanty said, adding that \u201ceverybody\u2019s very happy\u201d to have Pierre on the team.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThere is soccer in Haiti,\u201d Jeanty said. \u201cIt\u2019s a country that wants to live.\u201d<\/p>\n

___<\/p>\n

AP Sports Writer Tim Reynolds in Miami contributed to this report.<\/p>\n

___<\/p>\n

AP World Cup: https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/fifa-world-cup<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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