A rumor emerged from the start. While the uproar has been circulating on social networks since the article from the Mexican branch of Marca was published on Thursday, November 20, Allan Saint-Maximin spoke on Monday, November 24 on the X account to confirm that he will not play in the 2026 World Cup with Haiti.
According to Spanish media, the 28-year-old striker, who now plays for Club América (Mexico), aspires to join the Grenadiers, qualifying to surprise everyone at the North American World Cup, “thanks to his Haitian father”. According to information from Marca, the small Caribbean country intends to strengthen itself by including several players with dual citizenship in its squad. “The prospects seem more than favorable” for Saint-Maximin, Marca concluded last week.
However, the former OGC Nice and AS Monaco player quickly dismissed this possibility. “I want to congratulate the people of Haiti and the national selection for this historic qualification. This is an important moment and I am very happy for Haiti,” he wrote on his X account.
“Don’t associate (Haitian players) with rumours”
“I see there are some who are in contact, perhaps because I am Guadeloupe and Guyanese. But to be clear, there is no approach and no project regarding Haiti’s selection. Total respect to the Haitian players who earned a place in this World Cup. They fought for this qualification, and it is important not to attribute it to rumours. Power to them for the World Cup,” concluded the swirling left winger.
Therefore, Saint-Maximin’s file seems closed for now, while Wilson Isidor (Sunderland) and Odsonne Édouard (Lens) are also eligible. Several dual nationals have made the decision to represent Haiti in recent months, such as former Strasbourg player Jean-Ricner Bellegarde or Auxerre striker Josué Casimir.
Praised for an absolutely insane performance in the CONCACAF zone qualifiers (North America, Central America and the Caribbean), Haiti is set to compete in the world’s biggest competition for the first time since 1974.
Meanwhile, Saint-Maximin has played in all of France’s youth teams, notably honoring seven selections with Espoirs, without ever being called up by Didier Deschamps for A. He has been playing in Mexico since this summer, having spent time with Saudi Arabia (Al-Ahli) and Turkey (Fenerbahçe).
