Duckens Nazon: From Iran Conflict to World Cup Dreams with Haiti

Duckens Nazon, the all-time leading goalscorer for the Haiti national team, has navigated a challenging path to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Esteghlal FC striker recently recounted a harrowing experience leaving Iran following escalating regional tensions in late February, a situation that threatened to derail his preparations for the tournament. Nazon’s story is one of resilience, dedication to his nation, and a deep connection to his Haitian heritage.

The ordeal left Nazon physically and emotionally fatigued, but his determination remains unwavering. “It’s a story that leaves its mark,” Nazon told RFI, “but it doesn’t break you. Though, a bit of fatigue is understandable after something like that.” Nazon was with Esteghlal FC in Tehran when his scheduled flight for administrative duties in France ahead of the World Cup was abruptly canceled amidst heightened geopolitical instability. He ultimately departed Iran via Azerbaijan after a tense 30-hour wait at the border, securing passage with the assistance of the French ambassador.

Navigating Uncertainty and a Return to Form

“We had to pull every string to get in touch with the French ambassador in Azerbaijan to get through,” Nazon explained. “I waited more than thirty hours at the border to obtain a safe passage.” Now, Nazon is focused on securing a new club to maintain his competitive edge leading up to the World Cup. “This misadventure has awakened something in me. I sense the same determination I had to help my country qualify,” he stated, with upcoming friendly matches against Tunisia and Iceland scheduled in March providing crucial preparation opportunities.

Nazon expressed regret that Haiti was unable to host any qualifying matches, highlighting the ongoing challenges facing the nation. “I went there, I saw the reality of things. You have to hold on. But it’s an additional motivation. When you set foot in Haiti, it’s simple: either you’re not mentally strong and it destroys you, or you’re strong and it pushes you to make the population proud.” Haiti has faced decades of political instability, natural disasters, and economic hardship, a reality that fuels Nazon’s commitment to representing his nation on the world stage.

A Deep Connection to Haitian Roots

Despite being born in Châtenay-Malabry, France, Nazon feels a profound connection to Haiti, the homeland of his parents. “It started with the fact that we spoke Creole at home,” he recalled. “Then, I went to Haiti for a match. I saw the love that the supporters gave me, the fervor, the welcome, the warmth. It was so incredible that I fell in love with this land. I think there was already something strong within me that was revealed at that moment.”

Nazon first represented Haiti at the under-20 level in 2013. Since then, he has earned 74 caps for the senior national team, scoring a remarkable 44 goals. He is closing in on Emmanuel Sanon’s all-time scoring record for Haiti, and is determined to emulate Sanon’s feat of scoring in a World Cup – a goal Sanon achieved in 1974. Nazon is eager to make his own mark on the tournament.

Facing a Tough Draw at the 2026 World Cup

Haiti faces a challenging group in the 2026 World Cup, drawn against Scotland, Brazil, and Morocco. “We are ready to face anyone because for us, it’s our first participation for everyone. So, we’re coming with claws,” Nazon declared confidently. He remembers a particularly difficult encounter against Brazil in the 2016 Copa América, where Haiti suffered a 7-1 defeat.

“What a disappointing memory,” he laughed. “From that match, I try to keep something positive. The only goal we scored came from me on the left side. I bring the ball to my friend Max Hilaire who shoots on the goalkeeper who spills it and James Marcelin puts in the only goal we score against Brazil. It was a tough defeat.” Despite the past result, Nazon and his teammates are determined to make a strong showing in the upcoming tournament.

A Memorable Exchange with Lionel Messi

Nazon recounted a humorous anecdote involving a jersey exchange with Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi. “Let me inform you the story?” he offered with a mischievous grin. “We were playing at La Bombonera, an incredible stadium (in the La Boca neighborhood of Buenos Aires). Before the match, our captain Johny Placide told me, ‘Duckens, I’m sorry, I never ask players for jerseys. But there’s Messi. When there’s the exchange of captains, I’ll be forced to ask him.’ And I told him, ‘Johnny, please don’t do that because you realize how much I love Messi.’ Then, I don’t know why, the referee came and said there wouldn’t be a face-to-face between captains. At kickoff, I was next to the center circle. As I can say a few words in Spanish, I spoke to him and told him, ‘Messi, please, I need your jersey at the end.’ And to be honest, I lied to him. I told him ‘I’m a friend of Ousmane Dembélé’ because he was at PSG. ‘We have mutual acquaintances.’ Lionel Messi said, ‘Ousmane is a good person, OK, I’ll grant it to you.’ At the end of the match, everyone wants his jersey and approaches him. He takes me to the locker room. I take the jersey and abandon. And then he says to me, ‘give me your jersey.’ We exchanged them and he signed it. It will remain a memory forever.”

A Heartfelt Hat-Trick Against Costa Rica

Nazon’s dedication to Haiti extends beyond the pitch. He nearly missed the birth of his daughter while playing for the national team. “I saw that I wasn’t going to be a starter against Costa Rica (a World Cup qualifying match in September 2025, ed.). It really frustrated me, it really annoyed me. So, my daughter’s birth was due in the following days. And then, I really thought about it, I told myself, ‘well, I’m not going to miss my daughter’s birth for a match I’m not even going to play.’ I had a discussion with the coach the day before the match. And I don’t know, something was driving me. He was talking to me, telling me that the future would tell if he was right not to start me. I was extremely direct in telling him he was making a mistake. I told him, ‘tomorrow you’ll see.’ The next day, down 2-0 in the 42nd minute, he sent me to warm up. ‘Head, you’re going in now.’ I scored a hat-trick, not with my feet, but with my heart. We know why we play for Haiti, it’s something that transcends us (final score 3-3).” He added, “When we put on the jersey, it’s another energy, another force, something that comes from elsewhere.”

A Tribute to Family and a Nation’s Hope

Patrice Neveu, who managed Haiti from December 2015 to December 2016 and now coaches Togo, remembers Nazon as a “talented player” who needed “confidence.” “He was a promising player at the time who had real goal-scoring qualities. He was eager to get playing time. I know he is very appreciated by the Haitian people and he has always given a lot for the Grenadiers jersey,” he noted.

Nazon acknowledges the support of the Haitian diaspora, particularly the approximately one million people of Haitian origin living in the United States, as well as communities in France and Canada. He is excited to compete against top nations on the world’s biggest stage, but his greatest desire is to make his parents proud. “I want to show them why they took the bus with me for four, five, six years to take me to training,” he said passionately. “And to show my father why he came on Sunday mornings in the cold. For me, that’s the most lovely gift I can give them football-wise.”

The Haiti national team will face Scotland, Brazil, and Morocco in Group D of the 2026 World Cup. Their first match is scheduled for June 15, 2026, against Scotland. Fans can follow updates on the official FIFA website and through the Haitian Football Federation’s social media channels.

What are your predictions for Haiti’s performance in the World Cup? Share your thoughts in the comments below!