Former Arsenal academy prospect Yassin Fortune is on the verge of a remarkable career turnaround, with a potential spot at the 2026 World Cup now in sight after switching his international allegiance from France to Haiti.

The 27-year-old forward, who came through the ranks in north London from the U18s to the U23s before departing for FC Sion in 2018, never broke into the Gunners' first team. His club journey since has seen spells in Switzerland, France's Ligue 3, and Portugal's second tier.

However, his international path has taken a decisive and exciting turn. Once a France youth international from the U16 to U20 levels, Fortune made the switch to represent Haiti last year. He earned his first start in a World Cup qualifier last September and received another call-up for March's friendlies, putting him firmly in the selection picture.

This summer could see Fortune on football's grandest stage. If selected, he would line up for Haiti in a challenging Group D, facing Scotland, powerhouse Brazil, and Morocco. While his place isn't guaranteed—he missed competitive squads last autumn—his recent club form, with three goal contributions in his last six games, strengthens his case.

For a player whose career has taken him across Europe, the chance to represent Haiti at a World Cup would be the ultimate reward, proving that persistence and a change of scenery can lead to the biggest opportunities in the beautiful game.