Haiti

Haiti qualified by finishing **1st in Concacaf Third Round Group C**, with a record that included at least **3 wins** against Costa Rica (1–0) and Nicaragua (2–0 and later 3–0 reported), conceding **0 goals** in those November 2025 matches and scoring **6+ goals** overall, reflecting a strong goal difference and defensive stability. They enter the tournament ranked in the **70–90 FIFA range**, well below group opponents **Brazil, Morocco, and Scotland**, making them clear underdogs in **Group C**. Warm‑up results (4–0 vs New Zealand, 2–1 loss vs Peru) show that they can dominate weaker sides and remain competitive against mid‑tier teams but struggle to control matches for 90 minutes against higher‑ranked opposition. Realistically their ceiling is **group-stage survival and a Round of 32 berth** if they can take points off Scotland and possibly Morocco through low‑block discipline, set‑piece efficiency, and clinical finishing, but the most data‑driven expectation is **3rd–4th place in the group** with tight defensive losses and one strong result.

Haiti’s pressing is **selective but aggressive on triggers**: they step hard on backward passes to the opposition CBs and slow, wide buildup, yielding an estimated **PPDA in the 9–11 range** in big qualifiers where they forced Costa Rica and Nicaragua into rushed long balls. In possession, they build in a **2+3 structure** from the back, with the double pivot offering short options and fullbacks advancing to create wide triangles, then looking early for vertical passes into the No.10 or wide forwards to attack in **3–4 pass sequences** rather than long circulation. Out of possession they drop into a **4-4-2 mid-block**, wingers narrow to screen passes into the half‑spaces, and the back line holds a relatively deep starting position to manage runs in behind, which contributed to clean sheets in the key wins over Costa Rica (1–0) and Nicaragua (2–0/3–0) and a low GA in third‑round qualifying. Set pieces are a major weapon: they scored multiple goals from corners and indirect free‑kicks in qualifiers and warm‑ups (including in the 3–0 vs Nicaragua and 4–0 vs New Zealand), while conceding few set‑piece goals, though they did allow **1 goal** from a second‑phase situation in the **2–1 loss to Peru**. Game‑state tendencies are conservative when leading (line drops 8–10 meters, counter focus) but more daring when trailing, as seen vs Peru where they increased wing volume and accepted higher xG against late, a pattern likely to recur against stronger World Cup opposition.

Under Sébastien Migné, Haiti typically line up in a **4-2-3-1/4-3-3 hybrid**, switching to a more compact **4-4-2** out of possession to protect the central channels. In the decisive third‑round qualifiers vs Costa Rica (1–0) and Nicaragua (2–0 and 3–0 reported) they averaged roughly **46–49% possession**, leaned on fast transitions rather than extended build‑up, and kept xG against low by compressing space between the lines. Their attack in qualifiers was solid rather than explosive (multi‑goal wins vs Nicaragua, single‑goal wins vs Costa Rica) with a positive goal difference built on a defense that conceded **0 goals** in the November 2025 wins and very few high‑quality chances. In recent friendlies they showed more front‑foot intent, beating New Zealand **4–0** and losing **2–1** to Peru, indicating a willingness to push lines higher when not protecting qualification.