In a tense final Group D first-round qualifier for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, hosted at Guadeloupe’s Zami Stadium on April 17, 2026, Haiti’s women’s national team, the Grenadières, held on for a 1-1 draw against the Dominican Republic to book their place in the final qualifying round of the CONCACAF Women’s Championship.
Entering the match with a clear advantage at the top of the group standings, Haiti only needed a single point to advance, while the Dominican Republic, known locally as the Quisqueyanos, required an outright win to leapfrog Haiti into first place. Veteran head coach Pia Sundhage made three key tactical adjustments to the starting lineup that delivered a dominant 5-0 win over Anguilla just days earlier, reshaping her side to suit the high-stakes encounter.
On the back line, Claire Constant earned a starting spot in place of Maudeline Moryl. Up front, Roselord Borgella was preferred over Roseline Éloissaint to apply early pressure to the Dominican defense, while star playmaker Melchie “Corventina” Dumornay started on the bench, with Sherly Jeudy taking her place in the starting eleven. These choices would ultimately prove pivotal to Haiti’s final result.
The first half was defined by sturdy defensive play from both sides, with neither squad able to crack the opposition’s backline, going into halftime deadlocked at 0-0. The second half opened up into a tight, physical contest, with Haiti controlling 59% of total possession and outshooting their opponents 19 total attempts to 2.
In the 67th minute, Jeudy, who had entered the starting lineup in place of Dumornay, broke the deadlock. After a precision pass from defender Jennyfer Limage, Jeudy connected with a header from the center of the penalty area, guiding it into the bottom right corner to put Haiti up 1-0.
Six minutes later, the Dominican Republic equalized off a set piece. Stella Tapia fired a right-footed shot from the right edge of the 18-yard box into the same bottom right corner, leveling the score at 1-1 and reigniting hopes of a late comeback for the Quisqueyanos.
Despite relentless late pressure from the Dominican side, Haiti’s organized defense, led by Constant and Limage, held firm through the final minutes to secure the critical point they needed. The result leaves Haiti top of Group D with 10 points from four matches, having scored 16 goals and conceded none throughout the first qualifying round, three points ahead of second-place Dominican Republic, which finished with 8 points. Belize took third place with 6 points, followed by Suriname on 4 points and winless Anguilla at the bottom of the group with 0 points.
Haiti’s journey through 2027 World Cup qualifying has been one of total dominance so far, with the Grenadières racking up three wins and one draw, including a 9-0 blowout of Belize, a 2-0 win over Suriname, and the aforementioned 5-0 victory against Anguilla ahead of this decisive match. The side now advances to the final round of CONCACAF qualifying, on the path to the 2027 Women’s World Cup set to be hosted in Brazil.