Frantzdy Pierrot still remembers the days when football meant playing barefoot in the street, using makeshift balls fashioned from oranges, plastic bags and old rags. From there, his path led to the USA, then Europe, the UEFA Champions League, and now the .
For the 31-year-old forward, representing goes far beyond the sport itself. It is an opportunity to restore hope, pride and joy to a nation that has waited decades to return to football’s biggest stage.
Pierrot geared up for the global showpiece by scoring with a powerful header in Haiti's 4-0 World Cup warm-up victory against New Zealand in South Florida on Tuesday.
He spoke to FIFA about moving with his family to the United States as a child, scoring a key qualifying goal against Costa Rica and Haiti's World Cup preparations.
Frantzdy Pierrot: My earliest memory is playing barefoot in the streets with my friends. We didn’t have much growing up. Sometimes we didn’t even have a proper ball, so we’d improvise with whatever we could find. I used oranges, plastic bags and old rags to make my own footballs. Football made us happy and gave us a sense of freedom. For us, it was more than just a game; it united communities and gave us something to dream about.
In Haiti, football means everything because it gives people hope, pride and a sense of unity. The country has struggled through many hardships, so when the national team does well, people feel hopeful and reconnected. The fact that Haiti is in the World Cup shines a positive light on the country and its people.
I remember the day we qualified. Thousands of people filled the streets, hugging, singing and dancing together. Before that, many people were afraid to leave their homes because of gang violence, but at that moment, all of those problems seemed to disappear.
My dad moved to the USA before the rest of us. He typically worked three jobs, often putting in overtime, just to save enough money to bring us over. I ended up moving to the USA when I was 11. It was the best day of my life because I knew my life would change forever, and it meant no more climbing trees to pick oranges and using them as footballs. I was able to eat as much as I wanted and, most importantly, I got the chance to make something of myself.
Leaving everything behind that I’d worked so hard for at school and university wasn’t an easy choice, but I wanted to put myself to the test and open up new opportunities. I stepped out of my comfort zone and relocated to Europe for personal and professional growth. While it was a risk, I had faith in myself and believed that the right conditions would drive me forward. There were moments when I doubted myself, but I never stopped believing in the reason I came in the first place.
Maccabi Haifa had a huge impact on my career, giving me confidence, accountability and a stage to perform at the very highest level. I will always cherish my time at Maccabi because we achieved so much together. I got to play in the UEFA Champions League, the Europa League and the Conference League, and we won a lot of silverware together. They took a chance on me, so I'll never stop being grateful to them.
They’re always reminding me to stay humble and never forget where I came from. My family and friends are a massive part of my journey because they supported me long before anyone knew my name. When I’m back home, kids there motivate me to keep going because they have the same dreams I once had. They remind me how important it is to keep working hard and give back to others.
To give these kids hope and help them believe that they can make their dreams come true, I set up the Frantzdy Pierrot Foundation. By giving them exposure, structure and opportunities, we aim to help Haiti’s hidden talent shine. We want to educate these children not only about football, but also about life in general, helping them to thrive both on and off the pitch.
It's a difficult moment to describe because I understood what it meant for the whole country. When the ball went in, the first thing I thought about was my family, my team-mates and the Haitian people. I thought of all the sacrifices, the difficult moments, and everyone who had believed in us throughout the journey. In that instant, I felt that years of hard work, dedication, and perseverance had finally paid off. It’s a feeling of pride and emotion I’ll never forget.
We're fully aware how tough this group is. We're up against some of the world's footballing heavyweights, who have a wealth of experience and quality. Still, we believe in ourselves. Every opponent deserves our respect, but we're not going to the World Cup just to make up the numbers. We want to compete, represent Haiti with pride, and let the world see our spirit, passion and courage. In Haiti, we have a saying: “L’union fait la force” - strength lies in unity. When we work together, anything is possible.
We want to make our country proud and be fearless in every match. People may think we are the underdogs, but the Haitian people have always been fighters. We're determined to put our heart, unity and faith on display during the biggest event in football. Hopefully, this will inspire a new generation of Haitian youngsters to believe that no dream is too big.
Sources: FIFA Official
