Ex Celtic star weighs up international allegiance switch that could impact Scotland as World Cup opponents 'make contact'
The former Hoops star could be set to feature at the 2026 World Cup as he vows not to close the door on the possibility
Scotland are facing up to the prospect of coming up against a familiar face when they return to the World Cup after Group C opponents Haiti reached out to prolific ex-Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard about the prospect of him representing them at next summer’s finals.
And the former Hoops star have vowed not to close the door on the possibility of him switching international allegiance, having represented France at every age group up to Under-21 level thus far.
Edouard enjoyed a trophy-laden four year spell at Parkhead, initially arriving on a season-long loan deal from Ligue 1 giants PSG before signing a permanent contract in 2018 for a then club record fee. He went on to make 179 appearances for the Hoops, scoring 87 goals and contributing a further 37 assists.
The 27-year-old finished as the Scottish Premiership top goal scorer in season 2019/20 and 2020/21, helping Celtic win three domestic trebles in a row.
Despite his heroics in Glasgow and subsequent £18 million move to the English Premier League with Crystal Palace, Edouard still hasn’t been capped at senior level by France and remains eligible to switch nations with both of his parents of Haitian descent.
Ex Celtic star linked with shock international switch in World Cup bid
And the hitman, who was born in Kourou, French Guiana before moving to Paris when he was six years old, has now revealed that he has received contact from the Caribbean minnows, who have a history of recruiting players with a French background.
It’s only the second time Haiti have qualified for a major tournament since 1974 and they will open their campaign in North America next year against Steve Clarke’s side on June 13th in Boston.
Head coach Sébastien Migné will hope to have Edouard as part of his squad by then. They currently have six players contracted to Ligue 1 clubs on board and a further six who used to represent teams in France.
Discussing the idea of a potential national team allegiance switch, Edouard declared that although he still wants to play for Les Bleus, Haiti remains a serious option as he weighs up a major career change.
Odsonne Edouard confirms discussion has taken place over international switch
He said: “I came up through the ranks of the French national team, so obviously I am not going to hide that I have always wanted to play for them, and it would be the next logical step in my career. But I am certainly not closing the door on playing for Haiti. - they have been in contact with me.”
The former PSG youth product left Celtic for Selhurst Park in 2021 but struggled for regular game time. A loan move to Leicester City was then followed by a permanent £3m switch to RC Lens in September, where he’s scored five times in 11 starts.