PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Danley Jean Jacques |
| Date of Birth | 20/05/2000 (Age: 26) |
| Place of Birth | Petit-Goâve, Haiti |
| Nationality | Haitian |
| Height | 1.82 m / 6 ft 0 in |
| Weight | 72 kg |
| Position | Defensive Midfielder / Central Midfielder |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | #21 (Philadelphia Union & Haiti) |
| Current Club | Philadelphia Union |
| Previous Clubs | FC Metz |
| International Caps | 29 |
| International Goals | 6 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Contract Until | 2026 (club options 2027-28) |
| Market Value | — |
The Frozen Moment
Foxborough, Massachusetts. June 13, 2026. The World Cup stage was set for a historic return—Haiti’s first appearance in 52 years. For Danley Jean Jacques, the 26-year-old midfielder from Petit-Goâve, the moment was the culmination of a journey that had taken him from Haiti’s youth teams to the biggest stage in world football.
Jean Jacques started in Haiti’s opening match against Scotland, playing the full 90 minutes as a central midfielder. He had played a pivotal role in qualifying the Grenadiers, featuring as a regular during Haiti’s historic World Cup qualifying campaign. Now, he was on the biggest stage of all, tasked with anchoring the midfield against some of the world’s best players.
For the midfielder who had made his senior debut in 2023 and had quickly become one of the most important players in the squad, the moment was about more than football. It was about representing a nation that had waited 52 years to return to the World Cup. “It’s good for the team, good for the mindset and morale,” he said of the World Cup experience.
Origins
Born on May 20, 2000, in Petit-Goâve, Haiti, Danley Jean Jacques grew up in a country where football is a source of hope and pride. He represented Haiti at various youth levels from U17 to U21, making his debut for the junior national team on July 20, 2016, in a CONCACAF U-17 World Cup qualifier against Puerto Rico, scoring in a 3-0 victory.
Jean Jacques played at the 2017 CONCACAF U-17 Championship in Panama, starting all three of Haiti’s matches. He continued to progress through the age groups, featuring for Haiti in the 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games and the 2020 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Championship.
He was called up to the senior Haiti national team for the first time in March 2022 for friendlies against Guatemala, though he did not play. His senior debut came on March 25, 2023, in a 4-0 CONCACAF Nations League victory over Montserrat. Since then, he has quickly become a key player for Les Grenadiers, accumulating 29 caps and scoring 6 goals for his country.
The European Forge
FC Metz (2021-2024):
Jean Jacques began his professional career in France with FC Metz. In June 2022, he signed a professional contract with Metz that kept him at the club until June 2024. He made his professional debut on July 30, 2022, in a 3-0 Ligue 2 victory over Amiens.
During the 2022-23 season, Jean Jacques played a key role in Metz’s promotion to Ligue 1, making 31 league appearances. He signed a contract extension with Metz in March 2023, keeping him at the club until 2027. In the 2023-24 season, he made his Ligue 1 debut and played 33 league matches, but Metz were relegated back to Ligue 2. In total, he made 66 appearances for Metz across all competitions.
Philadelphia Union (2024-Present):
On August 8, 2024, Jean Jacques was acquired by Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer. The transfer fee to Metz was €1.4 million, with an additional $100,000 paid to Portland Timbers for his MLS Discovery Rights. He signed a contract through the end of the 2026 season, with club options for 2027 and 2028.
He made his debut for the Union on August 21, 2024, in a 3-1 Leagues Cup semi-final victory over Columbus Crew. In 2025, Jean Jacques was an integral part of Philadelphia’s Supporters’ Shield-winning campaign. In the 2026 season, he has made 15 starts in 16 appearances, scoring 2 goals and accumulating 1,321 minutes of playing time.
Haiti National Team (2023-Present):
Jean Jacques made his senior debut for Haiti on March 25, 2023, against Montserrat. He has since become a key player for Les Grenadiers, accumulating 29 caps and scoring 6 goals. He has featured at two Concacaf Gold Cups and was a regular during Haiti’s historic 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. At the 2026 World Cup, he started all three of Haiti’s group-stage matches, playing a total of 259 minutes.
The Anatomy of His Game
Danley Jean Jacques is a composed, all-action midfielder who plays primarily as a defensive or central midfielder. Known for his work rate, passing ability, and tactical discipline, he has established himself as one of MLS’s top defensive midfielders.
In Possession:
Jean Jacques is a reliable passer who dictates the tempo from deep positions. In the 2026 MLS season, he has recorded an 80.8% pass completion rate and has scored 2 goals from midfield. His Expected Goals (xG) of 0.14 per 90 minutes reflects his ability to contribute in attacking phases. At the 2026 World Cup, he maintained an 86% pass completion rate, demonstrating his composure on the ball even against elite opposition.
Out of Possession:
Jean Jacques’s defensive work is his greatest attribute. He is a tenacious ball-winner who breaks up opposition attacks and provides cover for the defence. At the World Cup, he recorded 6 tackles won and 3 interceptions in 259 minutes of action. In the MLS, his defensive contributions have been a key part of Philadelphia’s success, with his work rate and tackling earning him a reputation as one of the league’s top defensive midfielders.
Psychological Edge:
Jean Jacques possesses remarkable mental resilience and leadership. He has been a regular for club and country since his professional debut and has quickly become one of Haiti’s most important players. His ability to perform on the biggest stage, starting all three of Haiti’s World Cup matches, demonstrates his composure under pressure. His comments during the tournament reflected a focused and determined mindset: “now we’ve got that winning feeling back to keep that the season.”
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2026 Season & World Cup)
| Competition | Apps (Starts) | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Pass% | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLS | 15 (15) | 1,321 | 2 | 0 | 80.8% | 6.58 |
| CONCACAF Champions Cup | 3 | 146 | 0 | 0 | — | — |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 3 (3) | 259 | 0 | 0 | 86.0% | 6.49 |
| TOTAL | 21 | 1,726 | 2 | 0 | — | — |
TABLE B: Career Overview
| Season | Club | League/Competition | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-22 | Metz | Ligue 2 | 15 | 0 |
| 2022-23 | Metz | Ligue 2 | 31 | 2 |
| 2023-24 | Metz | Ligue 1 | 33 | 0 |
| 2024 | Philadelphia Union | MLS | 8 | 0 |
| 2025 | Philadelphia Union | MLS | 31 | 3 |
| 2026 | Philadelphia Union | MLS | 15 | 2 |
| TOTAL | — | — | 133 | 7 |
TABLE C: International Record
| Tournament/Competition | Apps | Goals | Major Honours |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 3 | 0 | Group Stage |
| CONCACAF Gold Cup | — | — | — |
| World Cup Qualifying | — | — | Qualified |
| Haiti Senior Career | 29 | 6 | — |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Haiti U17 Debut | Scored vs Puerto Rico |
| 2022 | Professional Debut | FC Metz vs Amiens |
| 2023 | Haiti Senior Debut | vs Montserrat |
| 2023 | Promotion | Metz to Ligue 1 |
| 2024 | Philadelphia Union Transfer | €1.4M to MLS |
| 2025 | Supporters’ Shield Winner | Philadelphia Union |
| 2026 | World Cup Debut | vs Scotland |
What these figures reveal is a player who has progressed rapidly through the professional ranks. Jean Jacques has accumulated over 130 professional appearances and 7 goals. His 29 caps for Haiti and his World Cup campaign demonstrate his importance to the national team. His 2025 season with Philadelphia—31 appearances and 3 goals—was a breakthrough, and he has continued to perform at a high level in 2026.
The Present Tense
Danley Jean Jacques is 26 years old and at the peak of his career. He is a key player for Philadelphia Union in MLS and a cornerstone of the Haiti national team following a historic World Cup campaign.
The Philadelphia Union Story:
Jean Jacques joined Philadelphia Union in August 2024 and has become one of the league’s top defensive midfielders. He was instrumental in the Union’s 2025 Supporters’ Shield-winning campaign. In the 2026 season, he has made 15 starts in 16 appearances, scoring 2 goals and playing 1,321 minutes. He has contributed 6 goals and 3 assists in 62 appearances across all competitions since joining the Union.
The World Cup Campaign:
Jean Jacques was named in Haiti’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup. He started all three of Haiti’s group-stage matches against Scotland, Brazil, and Morocco, playing a total of 259 minutes. He recorded 6 tackles won and 3 interceptions, demonstrating his defensive contribution. Haiti were eliminated in the group stage but scored their first World Cup goals in 52 years against Morocco.
International Record:
Jean Jacques has 29 caps and 6 goals for Haiti. He made his senior debut in 2023 and has quickly become one of the most important players in the squad. He has featured at two Concacaf Gold Cups and was a regular during Haiti’s successful World Cup qualifying campaign.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Danley Jean Jacques is a symbol of Haiti’s footballing ambition and the power of perseverance. Born in Petit-Goâve, he rose through the ranks of Haitian football at the youth level before making his mark in Europe and North America.
His journey from Haiti's junior national teams to the World Cup is a testament to his dedication and talent. He has spoken of his pride in representing his country and his determination to help Haiti succeed on the global stage.
Jean Jacques’s World Cup experience has been described as a significant milestone for Haitian football. As one of three MLS players on Haiti’s roster, he represents a new generation of Haitian footballers making their mark on the world stage.
The Verdict from the Camp
Statistic:
Jean Jacques has 29 caps for Haiti and has scored 6 international goals.
Statistic:
Jean Jacques started all three of Haiti’s World Cup group-stage matches in 2026, playing 259 minutes.
Statistic:
Jean Jacques was a key part of Philadelphia Union’s 2025 Supporters’ Shield-winning campaign.
Where Next?
Danley Jean Jacques is 26 years old and entering the prime of his career. He is under contract with Philadelphia Union until the end of the 2026 season, with club options for 2027 and 2028. His World Cup performances and consistent MLS form have raised his profile significantly, and he could attract interest from clubs in Europe or elsewhere.
For Haiti, Jean Jacques is one of the most important players in the squad. With 29 caps already and a World Cup campaign under his belt, he is expected to be a cornerstone of the national team for years to come. His combination of defensive solidity, composure in possession, and international experience makes him a vital asset for Les Grenadiers as they build toward future tournaments.
From Petit-Goâve to the World Cup, Danley Jean Jacques’s journey is one of talent, resilience, and the power of belief. The boy who represented Haiti at every youth level has become a key figure for his country on the biggest stage of all—and his story is far from complete.
