Haitian Footballer Carlens Arcus on Reaching the World Cup and Inspiring a Nation
As Haiti grapples with a devastating political crisis, gang violence, and widespread poverty, the success of Carlens Arcus offers a beacon of hope. From the streets of Port-au-Prince to Ligue 1 football, the international defender, currently playing for Angers, shares his journey, his unwavering ambitions, and the pride of representing his country on the world stage.
“It’s a very good question, because sometimes, it’s a flaw not to take enough time to realize what you’ve done,” Arcus said, reflecting on his career trajectory. “I’ve always had two dreams in my life, and I had already achieved the first, which was to sign my first professional contract. The second is to play in a World Cup with Haiti. For me, it’s a source of pride to say that I’ve realized both of my dreams.”
Arcus acknowledges the significance of his accomplishments, particularly for young people in Haiti. “If I look back, what I’m achieving right now is very good, very beautiful. It’s an example for many young people in Haiti. I also try to show that You’ll see no limits, that you can always surpass yourself and have ambitions. I am very ambitious, and even if I am proud of what I have accomplished, I still have that flame inside me that wants always more, that wants to achieve great things in football.” He emphasizes that despite his success, he remains driven. “But with perspective, there is much to be proud of considering where I come from. There are still beautiful things to go after, so we won’t limit ourselves.”
When asked about the source of his relentless drive, Arcus responded, “I don’t know, I could have said a lot of things: family, the desire to show young people in Haiti that despite the situation, you can still dream, have ambitions. Maybe it’s innate, it’s something within me. I think it’s a bit of everything. I was born like that and I want to show, to young people in Haiti or elsewhere, that you can always have ambitions. And it’s not because you achieve your dreams that you have to stop there.”
Wearing the Haiti national team jersey holds immense importance for Arcus, who began his international career at just 16 years old. Qualifying for the World Cup, he says, is “incredible, a real source of pride. It’s also a source of pride for my mother and for my whole family, of course. I saw the pride in my mother’s eyes, the feeling of seeing her son play for his country and qualify for a World Cup, there is nothing more beautiful. Seeing that in my family gives me even more desire to play for this country, and of course for this beautiful people who have suffered so much.”
Arcus believes his success can offer a small respite for a nation in turmoil. “If, through my talent, I can give them a little smile, a little pride, a little pleasure, I will do it 100%, because they really deserve it after all they endure. That’s what motivates me when I play for Haiti.”
Haiti secured its place in the tournament on November 18, 2025, with a 2-0 victory over Nicaragua – their first World Cup appearance in 52 years. Arcus described the immediate aftermath as “too difficult to describe, we didn’t realize what we had just done. But with the weeks passing, we realized that we had done something incredible. We saw everything it brought to the country: a little peace, a little pleasure. Through the media, social networks, we saw that it was really something incredible.” He added, “At the moment, it was hard to realize, it felt like just another match. But over time, we realized it was something strong. When we are at the World Cup, God willing, it will be even more incredible.”
Haiti’s World Cup group presents a formidable challenge, including matches against Scotland, Brazil, and Morocco. Arcus acknowledged the significance of facing Brazil, a team deeply admired in Haiti. “Brazil, of course. Brazilians have always been our idols, really. I think we are the first country to love them, maybe even more than the Brazilians. I remember, back home in Haiti, people would fight to watch Brazil or Argentina matches, we were such fans. Playing against them in the World Cup is incredible.” He also noted the strong Moroccan communities in Canada and Miami, suggesting a significant Haitian presence at those matches.
The current situation in Haiti weighs heavily on Arcus, who has family still living there. “It’s not easy. Honestly, I try not to watch too much of what’s happening in Haiti, because it can really affect me. It’s not always easy to see negative images. We would like it to talk about us in a positive way.” Despite the difficulties, he and his teammates strive to offer support through their achievements. “We try, through our talent, to give our support to the country, even if it’s not easy. All I can say is that we must remember that we are brothers, that we try to do things together. When we are together, we are very strong, I have seen it in football. The players were always behind me when I was tired. That’s something we did together.” He expressed optimism for the future, believing that unity can lead to positive change. “If we can do it in football, we can do it in real life. I am confident that things will get better in the coming years, and I hope we will only talk about Haiti in a good way.”
Finally, Arcus offered advice to young Haitians dreaming of a professional football career: “Simple words: never give up. Always believe in your dreams. I know it’s complicated to say to someone in Haiti, because there are those who don’t even have enough to feed their families. But I went through it, I know what I’m talking about. So I would tell them to never abandon their goals, to always believe in their dreams and to love what they do. And always have faith that everything will be alright one day.”
*Interview facilitated by the Professional Football League.
