Entrusted with the considerable challenge of qualifying Haiti for the FIFA World Cup 26, ۵۲ years after their one and only participation, Sebastien Migne feels a new lease on life. An assistant coach with Cameroon at Qatar 2022, the Frenchman was hired in March and is striving to build a success story, despite the current problems in Haiti, which have prevented him from setting foot in the Caribbean country.
Nevertheless, the 51-year-old remains positive: “I practice one of the most beautiful professions in the world, so I’m happy to be at the helm of this team, which, I believe, will show the world some wonderful things,” he said.
Migne is not one to rue his situation. There is a Haitian proverb that says, ‘If you want to trap a wild horse, find a tight corral’. It is a phrase that perfectly encapsulates his optimistic approach. “It’s not the most attractive contract I’ve ever had, but it’s unquestionably the most exhilarating assignment,” said Migne.
As he prepares to embark on this quest, the former Congo DR coach spoke frankly to FIFA about his ambitions, the upcoming qualifiers and the chances of seeing Haiti at the World Cup.
You took charge of Haiti in March 2024. What attracted you to this project?
Sebastien Migne: I was lucky enough to participate in the last World Cup with Cameroon as Rigobert Song’s assistant, and the emotions I experienced in Qatar were truly unique. After such an experience, the only thing you want is to relive those moments as the head of a national team. That’s what prompted me to say yes to Haiti. The sporting challenges are interesting, but I’ve studied this team well. I really think they have potential and that we can achieve something great together.
In qualifying, Haiti find themselves in Group C alongside Curacao, Aruba, Barbados and Saint Lucia. What were your impressions of the draw?
We have to take this chance to get to the World Cup, because the regional giants all qualify automatically as hosts. We need to seize this opportunity. Obviously the draw was important, but when the ambition is to get Haiti back to the World Cup, we have to be one of the two teams from this group that progresses to the next round, regardless of the opposition. The main difficulty we face is that we’ll be playing abroad for security reasons because of the social problems Haiti is currently experiencing. We’ll have to play without the support of our fans, but they’ll be very much in our thoughts.
Saint Lucia and Barbados will be your first two opponents. What can we expect from those fixtures?
We’ll have to impose ourselves from the start, deny our opponents any hope of qualifying for the next round and take as many points as possible. I tend to take into account more the strengths and weaknesses of my team rather than those of my opponents. If I had to put a number on it, I’d say I concern myself about 75 per cent with my team and 25 cent the opposition.
How are preparations going for these games?
In my previous roles, I always lived in the countries where I worked. Unfortunately, that’s not the case with Haiti. I can’t go there at the moment for security reasons, though I hope to be able to do so in the next few months. In the meantime, I make use of digital platforms that allow us to monitor the players constantly. At the beginning of each week, my staff and I watch all the relevant games and focus on the contributions of our players. We’re also in direct contact with them and take stock of any injuries and their motivation. We also scout for dual nationals and present our project to them, explaining that we have this great opportunity to go to a World Cup.
Given the situation there, how’s your state of mind?
I’m very enthusiastic. Enthusiastic to be head coach again, to be able to influence outcomes and to have the entire staff supporting my approach. I can also count on players committed to the project. Now we have to make sure that this continues, because at some point, we’ll face difficulties. It’s at those precise moments that we’ll need to remain united.
It’s been 50 years since Haiti appeared at the World Cup. Expectations must be high…
Yes! We’re constantly reminded of this and feel a certain impatience about this. Qualifying would do a lot of good for the country and bring happiness. I previously coached Congo DR, where Sebastien Desabre is now in charge, and I think this Haiti team has a lot in common with the Leopards. Just like the Congolese, Haiti’s last appearance at the World Cup was in 1974. My dream is to bring Haiti back to the World Cup 52 years on, and for my best friend to do the same with Congo DR.
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