Fafà Picault overjoyed after Haiti national team debut: "It means the world to me"

Fafa Picault was back in Houston to make some personal history.

Twice capped by the U.S. men's national team, Picault made a one-time switch to represent Haiti in the 2023 Gold Cup. He made his debut on Sunday in what ended as a 2-1 comeback victory for Les Grenadiers against tournament guest Qatar at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.

The former Houston Dynamo player, who was traded to Nashville SC last November, was named to the starting lineup and took part in singing the Haitian national anthem in the city where he spent part of his club career. A third-generation soccer player, he reached a personal milestone that links directly to his maternal grandfather.  

"It means the world to me," Picault told The Striker. "My grandfather wore this jersey. He was the captain during his time playing for Haiti. It's very huge for me. My family is very supportive and very proud. I have family and friends in the US in different states and cities that are supporting me from all parts and friends back in Haiti that are supporting me as well, and although I wasn't born there, it's in my veins. It's in my blood and I'm very proud to put on this jersey."

Sporting the no. 14 on the Haiti blue primary kit, Picault lined up on the right side where he is most dangerous. He delivered one shot on target and was provided four corner kicks.

Of course, the memorable part was the victory which was spearheaded by Haiti veteran forwards Duckens Nazon and Frantzdy Pierrot. To get it in a city he struggled to get wins makes the return all that sweeter.

"Definitely, Houston is still one of my homes and I love coming back here," said Picault. "It's a great feeling. The humidity was not as bad because we were closed in today. So I was very thankful for that. But it's really nice to be back in H-Town and got nothing but love for the city. And obviously, it was a great feeling to get a win here in a city that I called home for two years."

The win marked a fourth comeback for Haiti dating back to the 2019 tournament. One of those comebacks came at NRG Stadium, a shock win over Canada, to deliver the nation's only semifinal appearance.

Spanish manager Gabriel Calderon recently took command of the Haiti contingent, bringing in players of Haitian descent like Picault, in hopes of returning the country to the knockout stage. Having three points in hand helps in that regard but now the team moves on to one of its toughest challenges in eight-time winners Mexico, a rival Picault is excited to face as a U.S.-born player.

"I carry that American rivalry into this game, mixed with a lot of passion and pride for my Haitian roots," said Picault. "It's a double meaning for me. I'm obviously gonna give it everything I got once I step on that pitch."

Mexico and Haiti will headline tonight's Gold Cup doubleheader at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Qatar and Honduras will be the earlier match and a win by the Central Americans could complicate Haiti's chances to advance, combined with what happens against El Tri.

Overall, Calderon mentioned that this Haitian side wants to bring joy to the nation they represent. Haiti recently suffered a 4.9 Earthquake strike, on top of the ongoing political unrest and gang violence after the assassination of President Moïse in 2021.

"The objective coming into this is just to make the nation proud," said Picault. "We know a lot of people are suffering back there, and we want to bring joy and smiles to them and starting out with this game. Hopefully, we continue on that road and, and continue to do that.

"There's people watching us all around the states, people traveling to the games here to support us, and we don't want to let anybody down. Obviously, football, you never know what can happen, but we want to know that we step off the field giving our maximum and nothing less than that," he concluded.