Overrun with social and political problems, Haiti is amongst the most deprived nations in the world. They are football mad, and in 1974 Haiti made their first and, to date, only appearance in the finals of the football World Cup. And they certainly made their mark. Against Italy, a goal by Manno Sannon saw the Warriors take a surprise and short-lived lead against the might of Italy. Since that sole appearance in 1974, for the last 33 years the fans have had little to cheer about.
Haiti’s development as a footballing nation has been hindered by civil unrest. In 2002, the country’s brand new Football Development Centre funded by FIFA through its GOAL program, was destroyed by supporters of the deposed President Jean Baptiste Aristide. But the Centre has been rebuilt and the Under 17 squad are the first team to benefit from this developmental funding.
