by Oliver Trust

BERLIN, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Surrounded by his teammates, Josue Duverger spoke about his boldest dreams coming true.

When the 26-year-old received a 2026 FIFA World Cup call-up from Haiti, the celebrations in Koblenz, a town of 115,000 northwest of Frankfurt, seemed never to stop.

Players and staff of fifth-tier side FC Cosmos Koblenz danced around their hero as the Haitian-Canadian goalkeeper became the lowest-ranked club player heading to the tournament across Mexico, Canada and the United States.

"From the fifth tier to the World Cup is an overwhelming message for all," said the Montreal-born son of Haitian migrants.

"It shows that everything is possible if you have the right mindset and discipline," Haiti's number three added.

Duverger dedicated his selection to the people of Haiti, who are suffering through a security crisis in a torn country.

"We have done it for the people at home, who try to run daily life despite great difficulties," the goalkeeper said, calling his team's first World Cup qualification since 1974 "a sign of peace."

With seven caps to his name, Duverger is relishing the chance to face some of football's biggest stars in a group featuring record world champion Brazil, 2022 semifinalist Morocco and Scotland. Lining up against Brazil's Vinicius Junior and Raphinha will be "a once-in-a-lifetime experience," he said, as he counts down to meeting his idol, former Manchester City and current Fenerbahce goalkeeper Ederson.

"It's football, it's eleven against eleven," Duverger added, allowing himself to dream of a shock result, some playing time and, at the very pinnacle, a penalty shootout against Brazil.

Known as a penalty specialist, Duverger now has a realistic chance of moving up the football ladder after two seasons in Germany's amateur ranks.

"I see him at a club abroad in the future. He is not a fifth-tier keeper; he can play everywhere," Koblenz president Remo Rashica said after the club signed Duverger from a Portuguese club two years ago, a move that helped the club achieve three league promotions over the past few years.

Cosmos coach Admir Softic praised the goalkeeper's attitude, character and modesty. "We are all extremely happy for him and proud. This story is unique," Softic said.

Duverger is aware of the gulf between his daily reality and the World Cup stage.

"There, you play in front of 50,000, and here we have around 1,000 spectators," he said, expressing gratitude to Cosmos for giving his family "such a wonderful home" in Koblenz.

Haiti will not only carry their own fans' hopes to the World Cup, but also many new supporters from the Rhineland.

"We will carry the Haitian flag all over the World Cup," Leon Rashica, the club's spearhead, said, adding that Cosmos too is facing a very special World Cup. ■