"They thought I was crazy when I signed": Meet Sébastien Migné, the French coach aiming to make Haiti shine at the World Cup

After a 52-year wait, Haiti's national football team, the Grenadiers, are finally set to make their World Cup debut. Their first match is against Scotland on Saturday.

The team's journey to the tournament has been fraught with challenges, including qualifying without playing a single home game. This is due to the "explosive local context" in Haiti, characterized by gang warfare, insecurity, and widespread poverty. Even a planned meet-and-greet with fans before departing for the United States had to be canceled because the situation was deemed too dangerous.

Despite these obstacles, the 83rd-ranked FIFA team, under the guidance of French coach Sébastien Migné, remains undeterred. They are preparing to face formidable opponents: Brazil on June 19 and Morocco on June 24, in addition to Scotland. Migné, the team's coach, stated he tries to remain apolitical but acknowledges the disappointment of the circumstances. The team's participation marks a significant moment for the nation, offering a potential source of pride amidst ongoing turmoil.

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I am not a politician and I try to stay in my place, but it is necessarily disappointing.