Woodensky Pierre Gets Visa for FIFA World Cup 2026

The US government has approved Woodensky Pierre’s visa, allowing him to join Haiti’s national football team at the World Cup in 2026. Pierre is the only member of the team living in Haiti. He left for Florida on Tuesday, according to a spokesperson for Haiti’s soccer federation.

Pierre’s arrival at Port-au-Prince airport was met with cheers from fans and media. Airport staff wanted photos with him, and his mother embraced him repeatedly. Fans like Guy Ernst Phillipe praised Pierre, saying they were “proud” and that he was making history. Phillipe even joked that he hopes Pierre scores at least 10 goals.

Pierre’s teammates had already arrived in Florida to prepare for the tournament. This marks Haiti’s second time qualifying for the World Cup after more than 50 years.

While waiting for his visa, Pierre trained with local players in a wealthy area of Port-au-Prince. The team’s home stadium was deemed unsafe, forcing them to host qualifiers in Curaçao instead.

Pierre grew up in Cite Soleil, a tough neighborhood in western Port-au-Prince, known for gang violence and poverty. Despite the challenges, he is now set to represent his country on the global stage.