Carlos Kameni appointed Haiti goalkeeping coach after 2026 World Cup

Idriss Carlos Kameni has been appointed goalkeeping coach of Haiti, continuing his move into international coaching after a long career with Cameroon and in Spain.

The 42-year-old former Cameroon goalkeeper will join the staff of Haiti, who have just made the second World Cup appearance in their history. He will work with the Grenadiers as they begin a new phase following the 2026 World Cup.

Kameni’s appointment comes as Cameroon prepare to begin their own qualification campaign under the much-discussed decisions of David Pagou, while one of the Indomitable Lions’ former stars takes up a new role abroad.

Haiti’s Federation haitienne de football appointed Spaniard David Badia as head coach after Sebastien Migne left at the end of the competition. Kameni will now form part of Badia’s backroom team, with responsibility for the national side’s goalkeepers.

The move also carries a particular significance because Kameni will be working with the team of the “eldest daughter of Africa”, a nickname often associated with Haiti because of its independence in 1804 and its distinctive historical links with the African continent.

The exact circumstances behind the connection between Badia and Kameni have not been disclosed. However, the Spanish link is a natural one given Kameni’s career. The Cameroonian spent 14 years playing in Spain, mainly with Espanyol Barcelona and Malaga, before returning there to finish his playing career in the third division.

His appointment represents the next step in a coaching transition that began in Cameroon.

In May 2024, Kameni joined the technical staff of the Indomitable Lions as goalkeeping coach when Marc Brys’ team was assembled. He held the position for more than two years, gaining his first experience working within the setup of a national team.

Kameni brings considerable experience to his new role. He represented Cameroon from 2001 to 2019 and won an Olympic gold medal in 2000 before making his senior international debut.

He also won the Africa Cup of Nations and was regarded for many years as one of Africa’s leading goalkeepers of his generation. Kameni played at the 2010 World Cup with the Indomitable Lions.

His international coaching career will now continue with Haiti, where he will be tasked with sharing that experience with the Grenadiers’ goalkeepers under Badia.