Headline: Haitian Defender Carlens Arcus Reflects on Historic World Cup Journey and Future Ambitions
Carlens Arcus, a 30-year-old Haitian footballer, has achieved one of his childhood dreams by participating in a World Cup. While he first realized his dream of becoming a professional footballer a decade ago, the journey to the World Cup required ample patience and hard work, ultimately proving to be a rewarding experience.
In the summer of 2026, Haiti marked its return to world football’s premier tournament, 52 years after their previous appearance in ’74. “Playing in a World Cup with my country? I couldn’t have hoped for anything better,” Arcus shared in an interview with Get French Football News, arranged by LFP Media’s international department.
Despite the team suffering three defeats during the group stage, the historic occasion filled Arcus with pride. “Haiti deserved this. We did it for the Haitian community. When I see my family and the way they experienced it, it really warmed my heart. These are moments I’ll never forget,” the defender commented.
This landmark event is significant not just for Arcus personally but for the future of Haitian football, which he believes is poised for growth. “I witnessed it during the last gathering. We have a very close-knit, motivated team, and a coach who brings his energy, positivity and experience. We have everything we need to keep this momentum going,” he stated. Arcus emphasized the importance of recruiting new talent, noting, “With our players and those who want to join us – because we always need good players to strengthen the squad – and the mentality we’re building, I think we’re set to achieve some great things.”
Next up for Haiti is a chance to celebrate their national team again, as they qualified for the quarter-finals of the CONCACAF Nations League for the first time in history. They will face the United States in November, presenting an opportunity to write a new chapter in Haitian football’s legacy. “It’s a major challenge that we’re approaching with the belief that we can achieve something great. We’re not ruling anything out,” Arcus affirmed. The quarter-final will take place in Miami, as Haiti currently lacks the necessary facilities to host large-scale events due to security concerns.
This challenging situation is understandably frustrating for both players and supporters. However, a special arrangement has been made with CONCACAF and the Haitian Football Federation to host the first leg at the NU Stadium, which is expected to draw thousands of Grenadiers fans. Arcus remarked, “It would be a lie to say it doesn’t affect us. When you see the enthusiasm of the diaspora around the world, you realize it would be even more special to experience this at home, with our supporters, in front of our families.”
While he has played in Haiti before, many of Arcus’ teammates yearn for that opportunity. “It’s something I understand, as it’s such an incredible feeling,” he explained. “But when we wear this shirt, no matter where we are, we have to play with the desire to represent Haiti’s colours with the utmost pride and passion. That’s what we’ll always continue to do, even when playing away from home.”
Arcus has recently been given the captain’s armband for the national team, a role he treasures after ten years with the squad. “I’ve experienced it all! So it’s definitely an achievement, a great honour,” he said. Regardless of whether he retains the captaincy, he remains focused on supporting his team. “It doesn’t change what I can bring to the team, both on and off the pitch,” he added.
Before turning his attention back to the national team, Arcus is concentrating on two upcoming Ligue 1 matches with Angers. Currently positioned 14th in the league after a challenging start, Angers hopes to build momentum after a recent 0-0 draw at FC Lorient. This match included the introduction of a five-man defense, a tactic Arcus praised for its effectiveness. “We achieved what we’d set out to do, which was to keep a clean sheet,” he noted.
Arcus highlights the importance of adaptability within the team as they prepare for upcoming matches. “What I can say is that we’re ready – ready to listen and do what the coaching staff ask of us. The team can offer a wide range of options,” he stressed. Emphasizing the need to maintain aggressiveness, team spirit, and intensity, he remarked, “The main thing is not to forget our values.”
Manager Stéphane Gilli, who took over this summer, is gradually earning the trust of the players. Arcus described him as approachable and open-minded, stressing the importance of solidarity in both defense and attack. “It’s a mindset that we, as players, embrace and support. Being a lowly team doesn’t necessarily mean we don’t want to play football,” he stated.
While Arcus acknowledges recent challenges, he prefers to focus on the positives and the exciting arrival of young talent in the team. “I care deeply about youth. It’s very important to help them,” he expressed, noting the importance of guiding younger players in a rapidly changing environment.
As the team strives for improvement, Arcus believes it’s essential to raise standards to compete with higher-ranked teams in Ligue 1. “We need to strike the right balance, but I think we’re on the right track,” he mentioned.
In early September, Arcus celebrated his first goal for Angers against Stade Rennais, a moment he cherished despite being primarily a defender focused on his defensive duties. “Contributing going forward is always positive. But as I always say, the team objectives take precedence,” he noted.
When discussing his remaining dreams, Arcus recognized the significance of staying grounded in his objectives. “Thank God, I’ve been able to realise my two biggest dreams: becoming a professional and playing in a World Cup,” he said. Yet, he remains ambitious, aspiring to continue playing at a high level for several more years and looking forward to future tournaments with Haiti.
With the 2028 Copa América possibly on the horizon, Arcus is determined to keep pushing forward in his career while helping elevate his team’s performance on the international stage.
