As Haiti prepares for the third round of Concacaf qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, winger Louicius Deedson finds himself at the heart of a campaign defined by resilience, hope, and unfamiliar terrain. With home matches relocated to neutral venues due to unrest, Haiti’s national team—Les Grenadiers—will open their next phase against Honduras on 5 September in Curaçao, far from the roar of their home crowd.
For Deedson, the journey is personal. After six formative years in Danish football, the 24-year-old recently signed with FC Dallas in Major League Soccer, bringing his speed and sharp finishing to one of the host cities for next year’s global tournament. His transition to North America coincides with a pivotal moment for Haitian football.
“We’re not just playing for qualification,” Deedson told TWW News. “We’re playing for pride, for peace, and for every Haitian who needs something to believe in.”
⚽ From Denmark to Dallas: A Career in Motion
Deedson’s move to MLS was driven by both professional ambition and family ties. With his relatives now based in the U.S., the switch to Dallas offered a long-awaited reunion and a fresh challenge. “I’ve been talking to Dallas for years,” he shared. “It felt like the right time. The club welcomed me like family.”
His impact was immediate. In the 2025 Gold Cup, Deedson scored against the United States in a dramatic match held at Dallas Stadium—an arena he now calls home. “Scoring there was surreal,” he said. “I didn’t know I’d be joining the club then, but it felt like destiny.”
🌍 Haiti’s Road to 2026
Haiti hasn’t qualified for a World Cup since 1974. With Costa Rica, Honduras, and Nicaragua in their group, the path is steep—but not impossible. Deedson remains optimistic:
Every match is a final. We know what’s at stake. If we make it, it could be the most powerful moment of my life—and for Haiti.
Despite the challenges of playing away from home, the team is united. “We’ve lost the home advantage, but not our spirit,” he said. “We fight for every inch.”
🏟️ Dallas: A City Ready for the World
Settling into life in Texas, Deedson is adjusting to the heat, the pace, and the passion of a city steeped in football history. “It’s hot—but the energy is hotter,” he laughed. “Dallas is ready for the World Cup. You can feel it in every match.”
He describes the stadium as one of the finest he’s ever played in. “When we pulled up in the team bus, I looked around and thought—this is world-class.”
Football as Healing
For Deedson, football is more than sport—it’s a lifeline. “In Haiti, football is everything. It’s joy, unity, escape. If we qualify, it could bring peace to a country that needs it more than ever.”