Concacaf Nations League: Despite Loss in Costa Rica, Haiti Advances to the Quarterfinals

Beaten 2-0 by Costa Rica on Sunday at Estadio Ricardo Saprissa, Haiti nonetheless made history by reaching the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals for the first time ever.

Although the Grenadiers ended the group stage on a sour note, the job was already done. Thanks to an exemplary start, with three wins in four matches — including a resounding 4-1 victory over the Dominican Republic — David Badia’s side secured its place among the region’s top eight nations.

It is a major achievement for a team that, in previous editions, struggled to hold its place among League A’s elite.

Beyond staying at the top of Concacaf, the qualification opens up ambitious prospects: competing for a spot in the final four and booking a direct ticket to the 2027 Gold Cup. For that crucial tie, Haiti will face one of the region’s giants, Mexico or the United States.

The run marks a successful baptism of fire for head coach David Badia, who has taken the national team to unprecedented heights. On the pitch, the spark came from an inspired attack: Wilson Isidor established himself as the team’s attacking leader with three goals and three assists, ably supported by the impact of Ruben Providence and the consistency of Fafa Picault, who scored Haiti’s first goal of the campaign.