Black Cats star’s World Cup dilemma
Written by Michael Hope on 15th October 2025
Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor celebrates a goal at the Stadium Of Light.
Sunderland forward Wilson Isidor is on the horns of a 2026 World Cup dilemma – who to play for?
Speaking to French football news outlet L’Équipe, he said: “I’d like to set myself the goal of going to the World Cup; it’s obviously a dream.
“I have two options: France and Haiti. Haiti have already approached me, but I haven’t made a decision yet. For now, I’m focused on my club.”
Isidor has multiple links to both countries, which could make his choice a difficult one.
Despite being born in Rennes, France, his parents hail from Haiti, which allows Isidor to represent either nation when the World Cup kicks off in the United States, Canada and Mexico next year.
He’s already played for France at youth level. Between 2017 and 2019, Isidor represented France at Under-17, -18, -19 and -20 level, but is yet to represent Haiti.
In the L’Équipe interview, Isidor also discussed his turbulent past in football, revealing that at one point hed considered “quitting football altogether” before he moved to England.
He recently told the Sunderland Echo of his first meeting with Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris, saying “He is the one who came to get me in Russia, when I wasn’t playing football any more. I would give my body and soul for him.”
Isidor has been with the Black Cats since the 2024/25 campaign, when he joined on loan from Russian club Lokomotiv Moscow.
After impressing Le Bris and helping Sunderland win promotion to the Premier League by scoring nine goals in 26 appearances, he signed for the club the following February.
This season, Isidor has already bagged three goals, including the winner in a 2-1 victuory over Brentford on August 30.
If he can carry this momentum into the next phase of the season, he could become a key figure for the Black Cats and a long-term star the club can build around.
