Who is Wilson Isidor? Haiti's France-born Striker Scores First Goal in 52 Years in World Cup

Wilson Isidor delivered a moment of history for Haitian football in the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Wednesday (June 24).

In Haiti's final Group C match against Morocco at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, the 25-year-old striker scored in the 43rd minute to make it 2-1 in an exciting encounter.

Haiti entered the game already eliminated after defeats to Scotland (0-1) and Brazil (0-3). This was their first World Cup appearance since 1974. An early own goal by Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou gave Les Grenadiers the lead at 10 minutes. Achraf Hakimi equalized for Morocco before Isidor restored Haiti's advantage. Ismael Saibari leveled the scores just before halftime.

Isidor's goal helped end Haiti's 52-year wait for a World Cup goal - the last coming from Emmanuel Sanon in 1974.

Who is Wilson Isidor?

Born on August 27, 2000, in Rennes, France, Isidor holds Haitian eligibility through his father and grandfather. He progressed through the French youth system, representing the country from U17 to U20 level, before switching allegiance to Haiti in early 2026.

His club career has featured rapid success. After starting at Monaco, he joined Lokomotiv Moscow in 2022 and scored in his first six Russian league matches. A move to Zenit St. Petersburg followed, where he won the Russian Premier League, Russian Cup, and Super Cup. In 2024-25, he helped Sunderland earn promotion to the Premier League and has since established himself as a key forward for the Black Cats.

Standing at 1.86m (6'1"), the powerful yet mobile striker has already scored twice for Haiti in limited international appearances. His clinical finish against Morocco showcased the pace and finishing that made him a standout in Russia and England. Isidor's contribution marks an exciting new chapter for Haitian football, blending European experience with national pride on the biggest stage.

Despite the piece of history, Haiti ended up losing the match 4-2 against Morocco and are eliminated from the World Cup.