STWF Sports | FRISCO, Texas | June 8, 2026  — For Louicius Deedson, the call-up means more than a name on a roster. It represents family, country, sacrifice and a historic return that has been more than five decades in the making.

The FC Dallas winger has officially been selected to represent Haiti at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a milestone that carries deep personal and national significance. Haiti has not appeared on the World Cup stage since 1974, making this summer’s tournament a long-awaited moment for Les Grenadiers and their supporters across the world.

After meeting with reporters following a morning training session, Deedson spoke with humility and pride about what the opportunity means.

“For me, it means everything. It’s a dream come true,” Deedson said. “Born in Haiti and raised in Haiti, for me to be a part of the group that is going after 52 years to the World Cup, it means everything for me and my family. I am very grateful for the opportunity.”

For many players, a World Cup selection is the highest achievement in the sport. For Deedson, it also reflects a journey rooted in identity. He grew up in Haiti before moving to the United States at 13 years old. Now, he will represent the country of his birth on soccer’s biggest stage.

Louicius Deedson: A Symbol of Hope for Haiti

Haiti’s path to the 2026 World Cup was not simple. Because of ongoing challenges in the country, the national team was unable to play qualification matches at home. Instead, Haiti had to stage home fixtures in neutral locations, including Curaçao.

That reality could have become a burden. Instead, Deedson said the players used it as motivation.

“It was very difficult for us not being able to play any games at home,” Deedson said. “But for us as players, we see it as a motivation to make this happen. The hope was to qualify Haiti for the World Cup, and maybe things will change for the future.”

In a country where soccer remains a powerful source of unity, Haiti’s qualification has given fans a rare and meaningful reason to celebrate. Deedson understands that weight. He knows this World Cup run is not just about competition, but about hope.

“Right now, soccer is like the best thing we have going on in the country,” Deedson said. “Everyone is very happy to be a part of this.”

The 2026 World Cup, hosted across North America, also presents Haiti with a unique opportunity to reconnect with its global fan base. With large Haitian communities in cities such as Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Boston, Philadelphia and Atlanta, the national team is expected to receive strong support throughout the tournament.

For a squad that went through qualifying without true home-field advantage, that support could provide an emotional lift.

“I think that will be great,” Deedson said. “To be honest, I think that’s what we are deserving after not having them there during the qualification.”

Haiti’s opening group match against Scotland is expected to draw significant attention from Haitian fans across the United States. Deedson believes the tournament will also give some teammates, especially those raised outside Haiti, a chance to fully experience the passion of the country’s supporters.

“For some of the guys who are from other countries who represent Haiti and haven’t really connected with the fans, I think that will be their chance,” Deedson said. “Luckily for me, I have played in Haiti before, so I know how much they are passionate about the game. It will be a very good game for people to watch.”

On a personal level, Deedson’s selection is also a family milestone. He said he is the first member of his family to represent Haiti in soccer at any level.

The moment he found out came after FC Dallas training. When Deedson checked his phone, he saw messages and images confirming his spot on the official roster. His first call was to his father.

“My first call was my dad,” Deedson said. “I called my dad to share the moment with him. He also found out, but he knew I was in training, so he was waiting for me to call him.”

Deedson’s parents and siblings are now based in the United States, but he still has aunts, uncles and cousins in Haiti. As he prepares to join international camp, he carries them with him.

Alongside FC Dallas teammate Petar Musa, who will represent Croatia, Deedson now steps into a global spotlight. For Haiti, this World Cup appearance is bigger than one player or one match.

It is a return. It is a celebration. And for Deedson, it is the honor of carrying a nation’s pride onto the world stage.