News Beat
I’m former EFL player who led Haiti to World Cup 2026
SEBASTIEN MIGNE has guided Haiti to their first World Cup since 1974 – despite never setting foot on the Caribbean island.
A 2-0 victory against Nicaragua sealed a spot in football’s biggest tournament last night.
Migne, who had a spell with EFL side Leyton Orient during his playing career, was handed the managerial reins last year.
But the Frenchman has still not bossed Haiti on home soil since taking the job.
That is because gang violence in the conflict-torn country has resulted in home games having to be played 500 miles away in Curacao – who have also booked their place at next year’s World Cup.
Travellers have been advised not to visit Haiti because of the alarming risk of kidnappings, crimes, terrorist activity and civil unrest.
And Migne has been forced to continue calling the shots from overseas as he now prepares for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
He told France Football Magazine: “It’s impossible [to go to Haiti] because it’s too dangerous.
“I usually live in the countries where I work, but I can’t here. There are no more international flights landing there.”
Telephone calls from officials at the Haitian football federation have been the only way for Migne to get information about local players.
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The former Congo, Kenya and Equatorial Guinea chief added: “They gave me information, and I managed the team remotely.”
Wolves’ attacking midfielder Jean-Ricner Bellegarde played a key role in Haiti sealing their spot in the World Cup for the first time in more than half a century.
He started all six of the qualification matches, including the wins over Costa Rica and Nicaragua during the current international break.
Haiti’s only other appearance in the World Cup saw them lose to Italy, Poland and Argentina as they were consigned to an early exit.
But Migne, 52, has more recent experience in the tournament as he was Cameroon’s assistant manager in 2022.
