Largely in the hands of gangs and grappling with a humanitarian crisis deepened by natural disasters, such as the 2010 earthquake that killed more than 100,000 people, Haiti is so dangerous that the national team have not played a home match for five years.

Their coach has never set foot on the island, most of their players were born abroad and it will be hard for fans to be at the World Cup as US travel bans imposed by President Donald Trump's administration - together with cost - put the notion out of reach.

"We have many players who have never been in Haiti, so before the game starts, sometimes I used to share with them the reality of the country, the responsibility we have on our shoulders," said Haiti's all-time top scorer Duckens Nazon.

"When we put the shirt on, it's more than a normal game. We are the first independent black nation in the world. We have a lot of history. We have to assume this role."

One player who knows the realities all too well is Woodensky Pierre, Haiti's only domestic-based player.

The defensive midfielder was raised in the slum of Cite Soleil and plays for one of Haiti's biggest clubs, Violette AC, whose home ground - the Stade Sylvio Cator - had hosted Haiti's home matches until it was taken over by gangs two years ago.

Violette became league champions a month before the World Cup, but in an illustration of what daily life is like in Haiti, the start of their final match was delayed by gunfire.

Woodensky, as he is known, was initially called up by Sebastien Migne purely on the basis of online videos because the Haiti coach could not see him play in the flesh.

"This player is from one of the most dangerous neighbourhoods in Haiti. He plays with instinct because he learned early that hesitation costs you everything," said Midy.