Haiti sent a clear message to World Cup rivals by beating New Zealand 4-0 in a friendly in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, delivering a confident performance that suggests Sebastien Migne’s side could challenge strongly in Group C against Scotland, Brazil and Morocco at the 2026 tournament.

The scoreline reflected Haiti’s sharp finishing and control throughout, with four different players on the scoresheet and New Zealand struggling to cope, an outcome that contrasted sharply with pre-draw expectations that Haiti might simply make up the numbers in a pool that also contains five-time champions Brazil and 2022 semi-finalists Morocco.

When the World Cup group-stage draw was made, many observers assumed Haiti would fight to avoid heavy defeats, yet the team now appears far more competitive, even though Haiti sit 82nd in the FIFA rankings, only three positions above New Zealand, a gap that looked much wider on the pitch in Florida.

Haiti’s performance suggested a squad playing with confidence and clarity, as the attack converted chances efficiently and the defence restricted New Zealand, giving Group C a different look before Haiti meet Scotland on June 13, then face Brazil and Morocco later in the group stage.

Haiti seized control from the opening whistle, pressing high and attacking down the flanks, and the breakthrough arrived in the 12th minute when Ruben Providence dribbled past Finn Surman on the left side of the penalty area before lifting a composed finish over goalkeeper Alex Paulsen into the far corner.

New Zealand created some danger before half-time, testing Johny Placide with an overhead kick from Chris Wood and a close-range header from Marko Stamenic, while Jesse Randall curled one effort narrowly over, yet Haiti stayed solid and were more ruthless after the interval, turning a one-goal lead into a convincing margin.

Haiti World Cup Group C scoreline and match data

Lenny Joseph made it 2-0 six minutes after the restart with a precise left-footed shot into the near corner, Frantzdy Pierrot added a third just after the hour with a close-range header, and Duke Lacroix completed the scoring three minutes from time with a controlled effort on the swivel that located the far corner.

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That final strike from Lacroix highlighted Haiti’s confidence around the edge of the area and underlined New Zealand’s defensive problems, as the All Whites appeared overwhelmed in the closing stages, unable to prevent a heavy defeat that left the side facing difficult questions before the coming fixtures.

Haiti World Cup Group C history and future schedule

The 2026 tournament will be only Haiti’s second World Cup appearance, the first coming in 1974 when the team lost all three group games and conceded 14 goals, but this performance suggests Haiti could now compete more closely with higher-ranked opponents, especially with further preparation matches before the group opener against Scotland on June 13.

The All Whites must now reset quickly, with a friendly against England scheduled for Saturday before New Zealand begin a Group G campaign against Iran on June 15, while Haiti also continue their build-up with another match scheduled against Peru on June 5 as preparations intensify ahead of the finals.