Haiti could hand a surprise call up to former Newcastle United forward Allan Saint-Maximin after qualifying for next summer’s World Cup.
Allan Saint-Maximin Eyed for Haiti Call Up
Following their surprise qualification for next summer’s World Cup in North America, the Haiti national team could persuade former Newcastle forward Allan Saint-Maximin to join their squad.
Haiti confirmed their spot at FIFA’s biggest tournament for the first time since 1974 by topping their third round CONCACAF qualifying group consisting of Honduras, Costa Rica and Nicaragua.
They rounded off their campaign with a 2-0 win over Nicaragua on Wednesday.
Incredibly, the minnows could be drawn against record-breaking duo Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi, whose Portugal and Argentina are also among the qualified nations.
Off the back of their triumph, fans have begun to question how they can improve their squad ahead of the tournament. Saint-Maximin is a name that has featured heavily in discussions.
The 28-year-old, born and raised in France and having represented the country at various youth levels, is eligible to represent Haiti due to his grandfather being born on the Caribbean island.
Sebastian Migne could use the allure of playing at a World Cup as a bargaining chip in swaying the Club America star to make his one-time switch to play for his ancestral nation.
There are no suggestions of concrete talks between both parties as of now, only social media speculation. However, Saint-Maximin would undoubtedly add quality to their squad.
Since departing Newcastle for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli in 2023, the winger spent a season on loan at Fenerbahce during 2024-25 and has since permanently moved to Liga MX.
He joined Club America for a reported $12m (£9.2m) fee in the summer, and has been a star performer for the Mexican side this term. He has registered three goals and two assists in 12.
Saint-Maximin’s impressive displays saw some call for him to be included in Didier Deschamps’ senior France team for the first time this month but he didn’t receive his maiden call up.
Could Haiti give him a pathway into senior international football for the first time?
Regardless of his eligibility, it is important to remember that the Haitian squad qualified for the World Cup without the winger. Therefore, as he wasn’t involved or interested throughout the qualifying campaign, they’ll likely be in no rush to force a call up.
Who Else Is Eligible To Play For Haiti?
Wilson Isidor (Sunderland)
Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor is another high-profile player eligible to represent Haiti.
The 25-year-old France youth international has scored four goals in 11 Premier League games for the Black Cats this term, having finished as the club’s overall top goalscorer last term.
Isidor has already confirmed that Haiti have made contact with him, and while he is yet to make his final decision, he has admitted he dreams of playing at the World Cup.
“I would like to set myself the goal of going to the World Cup, it will always remain a dream,” Isidor told French news outlet L’Equipe.
“I have two options: France and Haiti. Haiti has already approached me, but I haven’t made a decision yet. I’m currently focused on my club. In the French national team, I know the guys, I’ve played with them and against them.”
Odsonne Edouard (RC Lens)
Another striker and former Premier League star eligible for Haiti is Odsonne Edouard.
Edouard enjoyed a prolific spell in the Scottish Premier League with Celtic between 2017 and 2021, where he won countless trophies, which earned him a move to England with Crystal Palace.
The 27-year-old netted 21 goals in 105 appearances during his time at Selhurst Park, with a loan spell at Leicester in between, and he has since returned to France with Ligue 1 side RC Lens.
Joining in early September, the move looks to have rejuvenated his career. Thus far this term, he has five goals and one assist in nine French top-flight appearances.
Like Isidor and Saint-Maximin, he has represented France at youth level but hasn’t represented them at senior level. Could Haiti give him his first taste of senior international football?
Lenny Joseph (Ferencvaros)
Paris-born striker Lenny Joseph is also eligible to represent Haiti at the World Cup.
Formerly of Metz and Grenoble in the French first and second divisions, the 25-year-old now plies his trade in the Hungarian top-flight with Ferencvaros, who play in the Europa League.
Across all competitions this term, he has totalled six goals and five assists in 20 games.
Although Isidor and Edouard are obviously stronger options to lead the line for Migne’s Haitian side, Joseph would provide a strong backup option to boost the overall quality of their squad.
Jean-Baptiste Gorby (Braga)
Braga midfielder Jean-Baptiste Gorby is another option Haiti could look at for the summer.
A product of the Nantes youth academy, the 23-year-old joined the Liga Portugal side in 2019 before breaking into the first-team fold in 2021 after spending some time with the reserve squad.
Since the 2021-22 season, Gorby has made a total of 82 appearances in all competitions for the European regulars, netting four goals, and spent a full campaign on loan with Pacos de Ferreira.
This term, he has made 22 appearances, registering two goals and one assist. Both of his goals came in Europa League qualifying, helping the club advance to the league phase.
Gorby would likely provide competition for Leverton Pierre, who plays for Portuguese second tier side Vizela in central midfield, alongside Wolves star Jean-Ricner Bellegarde.
