International Soccer
Danley Jean Jacques named to Haiti roster for FIFA World Cup
Philadelphia Union midfielder Danley Jean Jacques will be in line not only to represent his home country of Haiti but to play in a World Cup in Philadelphia after being named to the Haiti roster for the FIFA World Cup.
Haiti is making its first appearance in the World Cup since 1974 and will be playing in Philadelphia against Brazil on June 19 are after opening the tournament in Foxborough, Mass. against Scotland on June 13. Haiti wraps up group play against Morocco on June 24 in Atlanta.
Jean Jacques is just the second active member of the Philadelphia Union to make a World Cup squad and is looking to become the first to feature. Olivier Mbaizo made the Cameroon squad for the 2020 FIFA World Cup but did not appear for the Indomitable Lions.
Several players with World Cup experience have played for the Philadelphia Union, including current Union midfielder Alejandro Bedoya, Haris Medunjanin, Maurice Edu, Chris Albright, Marco Fabian, Oguchi Onyewu, Tranquillo Barnetta, David Myrie and Kleberson, who was part of the Brazil team that won the 2002 World Cup. Carlos Valdes returned to the Philadelphia after featuring in one match for Colombia in the 2014 World Cup. Gabriel Gomez represented Panama in the 2018 FIFA World Cup and Brenden Aaronson made four appearances with the U.S. in the 2022 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 Union in the summer of 2024, making his club debut against Columbus Crew in a Leagues Cup semifinal. In MLS play, Danley has made 51 appearances for the club overall, contributing five goals and three assists.
Danley is joined on the Haiti roster by former Penn standout, Ocean City Nor’easters alum and current Colorado Springs Switchbacks player Duke Lacroix. Reading United alum Frantzdy Pierrot is also in the team.
