Newcastle United favourite issues official response to future rumours - Sunderland star ‘weighing up’ decision
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Newcastle United latest news: Allan Saint-Maximin has denied reports that he will play for Haiti at next summer’s World Cup.
Former Newcastle United winger Allan Saint-Maximin has denied there is a possibility he could feature for Haiti at next summer’s World Cup.
Haiti finished top of their World Cup qualifying group, ahead of Costa Rica, Honduras and Nicaragua, to qualify for just their second ever World Cup. Haiti’s last appearance at a World Cup came over half a century ago when they competed at the 1974 tournament. Their participation in that tournament ended in the group stage with three defeats and 14 goals conceded.
Haiti are currently ranked 84th in the world by FIFA and sit between Montenegro and Uganda in the official FIFA World Rankings list.
Allan Saint-Maximin denies Haiti call-up
As they begin their preparations for that tournament, rumours have circled that Saint-Maximin could be called-up to represent Haiti next summer. Saint-Maximin has not been capped by a nation at senior level - although he did represent France at Under-21 level earlier in his career.
Saint-Maximin is currently in Mexico having joined Club America from Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ahli during the summer transfer window. Three goals and two assists in 12 appearances for his new club have marked a decent start to life for the former Magpies man at the Mexico City club.
The 28-year-old, though, won’t be playing at the World Cup next summer, or not for Haiti at least. Following rumours that he could switch his international allegiance to the island nation, Saint-Maximin took to social media to deny the reports.
He wrote: ‘I would like to congratulate the Haitian people and the national team for this historic qualification. This is an important moment, and I am sincerely happy for Haiti.
‘I see that some people have made connections, probably because I am Guadeloupean and Guyanese. But to be clear, there is no approach and no project concerning the Haitian national team.
‘Total respect to the Haitian players who have earned their place in this World Cup. They fought for this qualification, and it is important not to associate them with rumors. Strength to them for the World Cup’.
Saint-Maximin, though, is not the only big name player that has been linked with a potential maiden call-up by Haiti ahead of the World Cup. Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor is eligible to play for both Haiti and France and, according to reports in the Sun this weekend, is still ‘assessing his options’ regarding his international future.
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Unlike Saint-Maximin, however, Isidor did not represent France at U21 level. Isidor, who turned 25 back in August, has scored four times in the Premier League this season during his debut campaign in England’s top-flight.
The draw for the group stages of next summer’s World Cup will take place in the USA on Friday 5 December. The newly-expanded 48-team tournament will consist of 12 groups of four teams. Each nation will play three group games and the top two in each group will progress to the knockout stage.
Eight of the 12 best third-placed finishers will also progress to the knockout rounds with an eventual winner to be crowned at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19.