Top European league players Jean-Baptiste and Edouard reportedly nearing Haiti switch

CAP-HAÏTIEN — Two extremely rated gamers, midfielder Gorby Jean-Baptiste and ahead Odsonne Edouard, are reportedly near remaining approval to play for Haiti, as Les Grenadiers proceed to strengthen their squad forward of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The information of the high-level additions was echoed over the weekend by sports activities reporter Caleb Jephté Pierre and on-line outlet Sport Ardour Data, respectively.

The Haitian journalist and Sport Passion Info mentioned each gamers are in superior discussions with the Haitian Soccer Federation (FHF), although no official affirmation has been issued.

“In keeping with my info, the FHF is in pole place to welcome Gorby Jean-Baptiste,” Pierre wrote April 4 on X, including the SC Braga midfielder has given his approval in precept.

Sport Ardour Data individually reported in an April 4 video that Edouard has obtained a Haitian passport—a necessary step in switching worldwide allegiance.

“Osdonne is 75% a brand new Grenadier,” a reporter mentioned within the video.

Edouard, 28, presently performs for RC Lens in France’s Ligue 1, the place he ranks fourth among the many league’s high scorers this season with 12 objectives. Born in French Guiana, he beforehand represented France on the youth stage however has not performed for the senior nationwide crew, making him eligible to modify to Haiti extra simply.

If finalized, Edouard would turn into one of the completed attacking gamers to characterize Haiti in latest historical past—and probably the primary energetic top-10 scorer from a serious European league to hitch Les Grenadiers.

Jean-Baptiste, 23, has emerged as a key defensive midfielder for SC Braga in Portugal’s high division. Identified for his ball restoration, composure underneath strain and passing vary, he might handle one in every of Haiti’s most persistent weaknesses: controlling play in midfield.

A rising European core

Haiti has steadily added Europe-based expertise since mid-2025 as a part of a broader recruitment technique focusing on dual-national gamers.

 Haiti’s gamers from the Prime 5 European leagues included:

Isidor, particularly, has already made an impression, scoring in a 1-1 draw in opposition to Iceland on March 31 in simply his second look with Les Grenadiers.

If Edouard and Jean-Baptiste be a part of, Haiti might area at the least 5 gamers competing in high European leagues—an unprecedented stage of depth for the nationwide crew.

World Cup take a look at looms— with a rocket in assault and a basic in midfield to slim gaps

Haiti will face a frightening problem on the World Cup, drawn in Group C alongside powerhouse and five-time champions Brazil, creating drive Morocco, which completed third within the 2022 World Cup— and Scotland, returning to the competitors for the primary time since 1998.

The crew returns to the event for the primary time since 1974 and is broadly seen as an underdog. Some worldwide shops, together with Bleacher Report and the New York Instances’ Atlantic, have ranked Haiti the lowest-seeded team within the 48-nation area. Goal.com locations Les Grenadiers in 47th position, solely forward of Curaçao— the opposite Caribbean nation certified for subsequent summer time’s international soccer occasion. 

Nonetheless, the addition of skilled European-based gamers might slim the hole.

Edouard would carry a mix of dimension, mobility and ending means to Haiti’s assault. The 6-foot-2 striker is thought for his technical ability, motion off the ball and decision-making within the remaining third—utilizing each ft with precision and energy.

He was developed at Paris Saint-Germain’s academy earlier than breaking out at Celtic, the place he scored 57 objectives in 94 appearances between 2018 and 2021. He later performed for Crystal Palace within the English Premier League—scoring 18 objectives earlier than becoming a member of Lens this season.

The Haitian-French star striker is on the peak of his profession with RC Lens. He was reportedly hoping to be referred to as up by the French nationwide crew for the World Cup. However head coach Didier Deschamps favored different attackers.

Jean-Baptiste, in the meantime, presents stability in midfield. A box-to-box profile, he combines defensive self-discipline with the power to hold the ball ahead and distribute exact passes underneath strain—qualities Haiti has typically lacked in possession-based play. He’s a dependable finisher from lengthy vary and contained in the field, making him a well-rounded midfielder.

Followers and analysts have lengthy mentioned that Haiti’s crew wants a deep-lying midfielder to provoke performs and assist break down assaults. The crew would possibly lastly have somebody in Jean-Baptiste.

Haiti’s two warm-up video games through the subsequent worldwide window in early June will probably be its remaining alternative to combine new gamers earlier than the World Cup begins June 11 in the USA, Canada and Mexico. The dates of these matches have but to be decided.

If administrative approvals are accomplished in time, each Edouard and Jean-Baptiste might make their debuts throughout these friendlies.

For now, their arrivals stay unconfirmed—however the risk alerts Haiti’s intent to compete, not simply take part, on soccer’s largest stage.