Haiti and Canada: Resilience and Rising Stars in CONCACAF Qualifiers

In a remarkable twist within the CONCACAF qualifiers, Haiti retains a fighting chance for the 2026 World Cup, largely due to the outstanding performance of their star striker, Duckens Nazon. At 31 years old, Nazon leads all regional scorers with six goals, notably achieving a stunning hat trick within 45 minutes during a pivotal 3-3 draw against Costa Rica in September, reigniting hope for Les Grenadiers.

Currently positioned third in Group C, Haiti trails favorites Costa Rica and Honduras but remains in contention for qualification. Their next match against Costa Rica will take place at Ergilio Hato Stadium in Curaçao, as ongoing instability in Haiti necessitates this temporary relocation. A favorable result in this match, followed by a victory over last-placed Nicaragua, could significantly enhance their standing.

Not long ago, there was considerable debate regarding whether Canada’s best player was Tajon Buchanan, who was thought to slightly surpass Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies. However, a severe leg injury hindered Buchanan’s career at Inter Milan and prompted doubts about his future. Reflecting on this period, he expressed, “I remember thinking, my Inter career is done. In all honesty, that’s what was in my head,” during an interview with CBC.ca in October.

Demonstrating remarkable perseverance, Buchanan appears to have regained full fitness this season and is flourishing at Villarreal in La Liga. He achieved his first career hat trick in August and his versatility, able to play various positions from fullback to striker, perfectly complements head coach Marsch’s tactical needs for Canada. Despite a lackluster Gold Cup performance from the national team, Buchanan shone by scoring three goals during the group stage. He will have further opportunities to showcase his development in upcoming matches against Ecuador and Venezuela in the November international window.

As the November matches approach, Sergiño Dest stands out as one of the top fullbacks in the region, especially following his absence in the October international window. With Tim Weah emerging as a viable option at wingback and Alex Freeman providing reliable support, Dest remains a class above his competitors. Known for his exceptional dribbling skills, with a 55.5 percent success rate considered among the best in Europe while at PSV, Dest represents the U.S.’s most potent attacking fullback when in good health.

Edson Alvarez, despite being only 28, appears to be experiencing a decline. Nevertheless, he remains one of the premier defensive midfielders in the region and a key player for Mexico. Although he has lost some lateral quickness, his ability to disrupt opposition attacks and contribute offensively—evident in the Gold Cup final where he scored against the U.S.—keeps him relevant in Aguirre’s plans as they explore younger talent.

Raúl Jiménez, at 34, has struggled this season, registering only one goal for a faltering Fulham side. However, he continues to be a formidable asset for El Tri, netting eight goals in 12 appearances. Aguirre’s strategy of alternating Jiménez with the injured Santi Giménez suggests a focus on maximizing Jiménez’s effectiveness, especially since he is only nine goals shy of tying Javier “Chicharito” Hernández’s record as Mexico’s all-time leading scorer.

With several key players like Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, and Chris Richards unavailable for the upcoming international window, the responsibility falls to Balogun, who has made a significant impact since his return to play in September. His influential performances against South Korea and Australia underscore his potential, even as the absence of midfield support may limit his service. Continued success this window could solidify his position as the U.S.’s primary striker.

Florida’s rising star, Jonathan David, leads the goal-scoring charts among CONCACAF strikers, with 37 goals in 71 appearances for Canada. The 25-year-old has found the back of the net three times in his last six games and consistently excels on the regional stage. Enhancing Canada’s attacking options is Promise David (unrelated), whose impressive 6-foot-5 stature complements Jonathan’s speed and agility, introducing new dynamics to the squad.

Despite questions surrounding why Jonathan David’s prolific form at Lille hasn’t yet translated to Serie A success—having scored just once in ten appearances—there remains optimism under new manager Luciano Spalletti that this will soon change.