SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — the only member of Haitian The national soccer team, based in the troubled Caribbean nation, is waiting for a U.S. visa to join the team in Florida just weeks before games begin. world cup.
Woodensky Pierre is a defensive midfielder who plays for Violette AC in Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti. An estimated 70% of the city is under siege by violent gangs.
The other 25 players on the World Cup squad are playing abroad from leagues in England, France, Portugal, Canada and the United States.
this year’s world cup This is the second time for Haiti. In the country’s history, 1974 was the only year the country competed on soccer’s biggest stage.
Teshu Gentil, a spokesman for the Haitian Football Federation, said all but one player on the 1974 World Cup team lived and played in Haiti at the time.
U.S. visas have not yet been issued for Pierre and more than a dozen other Haitian soccer federation officials as President Donald Trump’s administration continues to expand travel restrictions from countries including Haiti.
While awaiting his visa, Pierre continues to train on an artificial turf field in Port-au-Prince’s upscale Petion-Ville neighborhood and “hopes to join the team as soon as possible,” Gentil told The Associated Press in a phone interview Wednesday.
“I hope he doesn’t have to live in (Haiti) after the World Cup,” Gentil said. “This is an opportunity to present yourself to the world and wait for a contract.”
Haiti was forced to play a “home” World Cup qualifier in 2019 after the team’s home stadium in Port-au-Prince, not far from Pierre’s hometown, was deemed too dangerous. Curacao.
Where is Pierre from? Cité Soleila seaside slum that has endured violence. hunger It has served as a stronghold for powerful gang leaders for many years. There were multiple massacres at Cité Soleil. gang rapeMore than 5,300 people have recently been displaced due to violence, according to the latest report from the United Nations’ International Organization for Migration.
“It’s a source of pride for him,” Gentil said of Pierre being able to play in the World Cup. “It’s a satisfying result for both the (soccer) community and the people. As you know, Haiti is in crisis.”
Pierre did not return messages seeking comment, nor did the team’s coach.
Haitian national team officials arrived in Florida on Sunday, and players began training in Port St. Lucie on Tuesday. Three other players are scheduled to arrive on Wednesday, Giunty said.
There is still time to resolve Pierre’s situation. Haiti is scheduled to play two World Cup warm-up games, first against New Zealand on Tuesday and then against Peru on June 5 in South Florida.
Haiti begins World Cup play against Scotland on June 13 in Foxborough, Mass., then faces five-time champions Brazil on June 19 in Philadelphia and Morocco on June 24 in Atlanta.
Jeanty said he first got in touch with Pierre in 2022 when they traveled together to Honduras for an U-20 game.
“I saw him as a top-level player,” Gentil said, adding that “everyone is very happy” to have Pierre on the team.
“Haiti has soccer,” Jeanty said. “This is the country I want to live in.”
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AP Sports Writer Tim Reynolds in Miami contributed to this report.
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AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
