Philadelphia Union midfielder Danley Jean Jacques has been selected to represent Haiti in the country’s first FIFA World Cup appearance since 1974.
Danley's selection marks the first time in franchise history that the Philadelphia Union has had active players on qualified national team rosters in consecutive FIFA World Cups, following Olivier Mbaizo who was part of Cameroon's squad at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Haiti was drawn into Group C and opens the tournament against Scotland on June 13 at 9 p.m. ET in Boston, Massachusetts. The Grenadiers then face Brazil on June 19 at 8:30 p.m. ET in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, before concluding group stage play against Morocco on June 24th at 6 p.m ET in Atlanta, Georgia.
Prior to the tournament, Haiti will play two preparation matches against New Zealand on Tuesday, June 2, at 8 p.m. ET at Inter Miami CF Stadium and Peru on Friday, June 5, at 8 p.m. ET at NU Stadium.
Not only is the World Cup roster call-up a special mark for the club's history, Danley Jean Jacques could become the first active player in Union history to feature in a World Cup.
Danley has earned 28 senior national team caps and scored eight goals for Haiti. He made his international debut on March 25, 2023, against Montserrat in Concacaf Nations League. During Haiti's run to clinch qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the midfielder scored against Nicaragua and added an assist against Costa Rica.
The 25-year-old midfielder signed with the Boys in Blue in the summer of 2024, making his club debut against Columbus Crew in a Leagues Cup Semifinal match. In MLS play, Danley has made 51 appearances for the club overall, contributing five goals and three assists.
