Former Kerala Blasters forward Duckens Nazon on bench at FIFA World Cup for Haiti vs Scotland

Duckens Nazon scored for Kerala Blasters in the ISL semi-finals against Delhi Dynamos.

In a landmark moment for the Indian Super League (ISL), Haiti forward Duckens Nazon, who spent one season in the Indian top flight with Kerala Blasters, was named on the bench for Les Grenadiers for their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C clash against Scotland at Boston Stadium.

Previously, some of the big names in world football, including Tim Cahill, Roberto Carlos, Nicolas Anelka, and David James, have already played in the Indian Super League.

For years, critics labelled the Indian Super League as a retirement league where ageing players who were inching closer to their retirement in their late thirties often came to ply their trade in the Indian Super League.

However, Duckens Nazon’s FIFA World Cup 2026 debut in North America rewrites the narrative. From playing in the packed stands of Kochi to representing his country in the FIFA World Cup after a long wait of nearly five decades, Nazon has come a long way.

In this article, we take a closer look at Nazon’s time in the Indian Super League with Kerala Blasters. Also, we trace his rise from a prodigy in the Indian top flight to becoming one of the top goal scorers for his country ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Also Read: Five key player battles to watch during Haiti vs Scotland FIFA World Cup 2026 clash

Duckens Nazon’s time in India with Kerala Blasters

Nazon was just 22 when he came to India with big dreams in his eyes. He came to Kerala Blasters after previously playing for French teams like Lorient reserves and Laval.

In the 2016-17 season of the ISL, the Tuskers roped in English gaffer Steve Coppell, who has previously managed top European teams like Crystal Palace, Manchester City and Brighton.

Alongside Nazon, Kerala’s other foreign players included French defender Cedric Hengbart, former Arsenal player Graham Stack, Michael Chopra and many others.

Nazon went on to score 2 goals in 11 games for the Tuskers and helped Kerala finish second in the ISL points table. He even scored against Delhi Dynamos in the semi-finals second leg and propelled Kerala into the ISL Finals against ATK.

In the finals, Kerala suffered a heartbreaking defeat to ATK in penalties despite going 1-0 up after a brilliant goal from Rafi in the ISL Finals.

Nazons had a decent season with the Tuskers and made a high-profile move to Wolverhampton Wanderers before playing for Coventry City and Oldham Athletics in English football. He currently plays for top Iranian outfit Esteghlal

Can Nazon make Haiti’s World Cup comeback memorable?

Nazon plays for Tehran-based outfit Esteghlal. He spent 42 hours stranded at the Azerbaijan border after the sky was closed due to Israeli-USA strikes in the region. He made a gruelling 20-hour journey by road to the Azerbaijan border to lead his country in FIFA World Cup 2026.

Haiti are drawn in Group C alongside heavyweights Brazil, Morocco and Scotland. Though their probability of making it past the group stage seems less, the Haitian players would be keen to exhibit a fearless and entertaining brand of football in their first World Cup in nearly five decades.

He is one of the top goalscorers for his nation and is in sublime form for Haiti. He recently scored a hattrick against Costa Rica in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification and was in exceptional form. His most recent goal for Haiti came against Nicaragua.

It is a big moment for the Indian Super League and football fans in Kerala. A player who once donned the yellow jersey of Kerala Blasters and played in Kochi will now be rubbing shoulders against some of the best players in the world like Vini Jr, Scott McTominay, Achraf Hakimi, Neymar Jr and Raphinha.

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