MIAMI, Florida – The title of the second Caribbean country to qualify to a FIFA Women’s World Cup will always be property of the Haitian Women’s National Team. And they will continue to break barriers when they make their debut on Saturday, July 22 at Brisbane Stadium in Australia against European Champions England.
Les Grenadières were placed in Group B alongside Denmark, China and England, making them the only team in the group who will make their World Cup debut.
But to reach Australia/New Zealand 2023, Haiti had a long journey to cover. Finishing in third place of Group A at the 2022 Concacaf W Championship, they advanced to the Inter-Confederation Playoffs that took place in New Zealand last February.
The team flew to the other side of the world, knowing that this was a unique experience. After beating Senegal 4-0 in the semifinals, their most challenging match was ahead of them, needing one more win against Chile.
They did it, beating the South American side 2-1, qualifying to their first ever Women’s World Cup as the second Caribbean nation to do so.
This historical achievement would have not been possible without Haiti’s key player and star Melchie Dumornay, who is now a legend of Haitian football. Since she was 12 years old, she has been part of the country’s youth teams, winning the Golden Boot in 2020 at the Concacaf Women's U-20 Championship with 14 goals.
Dumornay was just getting started, as she made the jump to the senior team not much later. In 2022, she flew to Mexico for the CWC, in which she also shined with Haiti, getting the Best Young Player Award, as well as being named to the tournament Best XI.
However, Dumornay is not the only Haiti player people will be watching. Roselord Borgella was also someone that made herself seen in Mexico and New Zealand. Scoring two of the four goals against Senegal, Borgella is no stranger to pressure football.
Nerilia Mondesir and Sherly Jeudy also play vital roles in attack. Mondesir scored in Haiti’s 3-0 win versus Mexico in the 2022 CWC and then again against Senegal, while Jeudy also found the back of the net in the CWC.
With history at their feet, Haiti will go Down Under to prove to the world how the Caribbean plays and why everyone is talking about them ahead of their first ever World Cup.
