Morocco 4-2 Haiti; Lenny Joseph scores first World Cup goal

Morocco defeated Haiti 4-2 on Wednesday night in Atlanta, eliminating the Caribbean side from the 2026 World Cup group stage. Haiti, ranked No. 87 and the tournament’s lowest‑seeded team, recorded its first World Cup goal in more than half a century in the match.

It was Haiti’s first World Cup appearance in more than 50 years, a milestone for a nation that has endured natural disasters, crime and political turmoil. Entering the tournament as the lowest‑ranked side at No. 87, the Grenadiers faced a steep challenge against seasoned opponents.

Ten minutes in, Jean‑Kevin Duverne delivered a right‑wing cross that Lenny Joseph flicked into the net off Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou’s back. The strike marked Haiti’s inaugural World Cup goal, the first such tally for the country in over half a century.

Thirty‑four minutes after the opener, Wilson Isidor unleashed a long‑range strike that restored Haiti’s lead. After the match, Isidor said in French, “We all hoped to bring joy to the Haitian people, because they deserve it,” adding, “And I hope the two goals we scored today made them proud.”

Goalkeeper Johny Placide kept Haiti in the game for nearly 40 minutes with a series of saves before conceding his first goal in the 39th minute. He ultimately surrendered four goals as Morocco completed a 4‑2 victory.

The loss left Haiti with a record of zero wins, zero draws and three defeats, confirming their group‑stage exit. Fans in Atlanta Stadium celebrated the early goals, dancing to Barikad Crew’s “Toup Pou Yo” and cheering loudly throughout the match.

A United Nations report noted more than 1,600 Haitians killed and over 700 injured in the first three months of 2026, while over 1.5 million have been displaced, underscoring the nation’s turmoil. Manager Sébastien Migné, who has never set foot in Haiti because of security concerns, assembled a 26‑player squad of which only ten were born locally and just one, midfielder Woodensky Pierre, plays for a Haitian club.