My First World Cup: What to expect from Haiti and Panama
With the Women’s World Cup expanding to 32 teams for the first time ever in 2023, it is little surprise that there will be as many as eight teams competing in the world’s premier international competition for the very first time in Australia and New Zealand. Here, The Sports Gazette assesses what can be expected from Haiti and Panama as they get set to compete at their first World Cup.
Haiti
World Ranking: 53rd
This may be the first time that Haiti have qualified for a World Cup in the women’s game, but few sides in history have secured their place at the tournament quite so dramatically. A goal to the good in their inter confederation play-off against Chile, an injury-time Melchie Dumornay goal looked to have wrapped up qualification, only for the South Americans to hit back instantly and force an agonising end to the game.
Haiti did see it through though, marking the next step in the development of a young side – the nucleus of which played together at the under-20 World Cup in 2018. That was the only previous World Cup that Haiti Women have featured in at any level, and their reward for making it to Australia and New Zealand is a difficult group that features three sides currently in the top 20 of the world rankings.
Uncertainty abounds regarding the Haitian FA after former president Yves Jean Bart saw his FIFA ban lifted by the Court of Arbitration for Sport earlier this year, but a determined Haiti side made up of players based in France and the USA are keen to ensure they make headlines for how they perform on the pitch.
Manager: Nicolas Delepine
Frenchman Delepine has enjoyed unprecedented success since being appointed manager in February 2022. A third-place finish in their group at the CONCACAF Women’s Championship was enough to earn an inter confederation play-off before the former Grenoble boss then guided Haiti past both Senegal and Chile to reach the World Cup.
Having tried out a number of different formations in his year and a half in charge, it is quite possible the Delepine will leave Haiti’s Group D opponents guessing as to what system and personnel he will deploy.
Key Player: Melchie Dumornay
Her two goals against Chile in February secured Haiti’s place on the global stage but Dumornay has been destined for the top of world football for even longer. Winner of Goal’s NXGN award for the best teenage player in the world in 2022, the 19-year-old has already been snapped up by eight-times Champions League winners Lyon for next season.
A mix of lightning pace and elegant technique, Dumornay has shown she can cause most teams problems from her starting position in attack.
Group and Fixtures: Group D
22nd July 7.30pm – England (Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane)
28th July 8.30pm – China PR (Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide)
1st August 7pm – Denmark (Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth)
It will be a real baptism of fire for Haiti Down Under as they take on the European Championship holders and one of the favourites to win this World Cup in England. How they respond in their following fixtures will determine how much of a success this World Cup can be deemed.
Panama
World Ranking: 52nd
Panama are another of the first-time qualifiers who have come within touching distance of a World Cup previously. Ahead of the 2019 edition, a defeat on penalties to Jamaica at the CONCACAF Women’s Championship meant their opponents advanced to the finals in France, and Panama were left to wait to make their World Cup bow.
Their performance at the 2022 iteration of the same tournament earned them a place at the inter-confederation play-offs, before wins against Papua New Guinea and Paraguay booked their ticket to Australia and New Zealand.
A squad consisting of players based in Central America has been boosted by a handful of new additions from further afield who have Panamanian heritage, yet it will take something special from the likes of Hilary Jaen, Lineth Cedeno and Marta Cox for Panama to make their mark in a challenging group.
Manager: Ignacio Quintana
Given taking charge of Panama is Quintana’s first role in senior management, it would be fair to say he is making light work of the rigours of international management. Since becoming Panama boss in 2021, he has suffered just nine defeats from his 27 games in charge after prioritising defensive resolve and making the team difficult to beat.
The Mexican also played a significant role in ensuring his players now receive the same pay and bonuses as their male counterparts, showing he is helping the nation develop as a footballing force both on and off the pitch.
Key Player: Riley Tanner
It may seem peculiar for a player with just a handful of caps to be such a key figure, but with Tanner currently plying her trade in the NWSL with Washington Spirit, she is currently operating at a higher level than many of her team-mates.
Her debut came in the crucial play-off game against Papua New Guinea earlier this year, and it took just 15 minutes for Tanner to make her mark as she went on mazey dribble before scoring to wrap up a 2-0 win for Panama.
Group and Fixtures: Group F
24th July 8.30pm – Brazil (Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide)
29th July 8.30pm – Jamaica (Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth)
2nd August 8pm – France (Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney)
Taking on a Brazil side that is littered with attacking talent and a French outfit that now seems unified under the management of Herve Renard, Group F looks to set to be a tough test for Panama.
