Haitian photojournalist Denilson Mentor has been selected by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) to cover the 2026 World Cup in North America. The native of Source Matelas has reached a major milestone in his career as a photographer. This achievement is a testament to his extraordinary perseverance despite repeated death threats and all manner of setbacks that forced him to leave the country.
Born on July 3, 1998, in Source Matelas and raised in a single-parent household, Denilson completed his secondary education at Collège Mission de l’Espoir in Titanyen. He then moved to Port-au-Prince to continue his studies and build a professional career. There, he attended Procenter School, located near Fort Dimanche in Delmas 33. This experience allowed him to receive training in web design and web development. Always seeking knowledge, he turned to videography at Ciné Lumière. « But I have to say that it was my passion for the camera that brought me this far, because I started very early in this field », says the FIFA-accredited photojournalist, speaking to IMÉDIAS.
Denilson can’t contain his joy and pride after being selected by FIFA for the 2026 World Cup. It is with an excited voice that he tells us about this achievement, which is, for him, “a reward for his efforts. « Yet, it is merely a spark that continually fuels the flame of his passion. Furthermore, his participation in this major global event serves, he asserts », as motivation to maintain his commitment to himself, his community, and others.
In this interview with IMÉDIAS, this young man from the town of Cabaret recalls: « To get here, I had to adopt an approach that combines passion, talent, and discipline. You can have all the skills in the world, but if you don't follow the principles, you'll definitely miss out on success. » ; This attitude was inherited from his alter ego, Rodly SAINTINÉ, both at the ÉCOLE DES MÉDIAS, where this passionate photographer received a solid grounding in journalism, and at Alter Press radio, another source of enriching experiences for him.
Amid life's challenges, a career takes shape
« As far as I can remember, I was maybe ten years old. » With a visibly emotional lump in his throat, Denilson reflects on a defining moment in his life: his father’s departure for the United States. An absence that still affects him to this day. This partly explains his attachment to the camera. The photojournalist has developed a special relationship with his camera. They are practically inseparable.
« Back then, it wasn’t very easy for me »,Denilson admits. « My mom never wanted me to be a photographer. Her dream was to see me excel in other fields, like engineering or law (as a lawyer), for example. » That wasn’t possible, however, because his biological mother died when he was only 14. Despite the obstacles and restrictions, he never gave up on his dream of becoming an internationally renowned photographer.
He forged his own path. He had to overcome enormous challenges. With very limited resources, he built his career brick by brick, he humbly acknowledges. « I didn’t have sophisticated cameras yet [...] I had access to a small computer with Photoshop software. I think it was CS4 or CS5, if I’m not mistaken. That’s what allowed me to learn the basics », he says. Even though he is practically a « self-made man », he hasn’t forgotten the people who offered him words of encouragement, and those who helped him along the way. Like his uncle, whose name he doesn’t disclose. He often encouraged him in his work. Amid life’s difficulties, Denilson carved out his own path, with a camera as his only compass.
His camera: a lifelong commitment
With his camera strapped to his wrists, motivated and determined, Denilson roams the streets of Port-au-Prince in search of powerful images that capture people’s daily lives. He believes that through his photographs, he can make a difference-at the very least, by drawing attention to the precariousness and hardships of all kinds that thousands of Haitians face every day. « There are things that are kept silent in society. And my camera gives them a powerful voice », the talented young photographer emphasizes. His experiences in Haiti have left a lasting mark on him and serve as a foundation for moving forward. « They still fuel my thoughts today », admits the Cabaret native.
Using his camera as a tool in his commitment to defend the causes of the most vulnerable, Denilson quickly realized that the choice to become a photojournalist was a calling. Through his images, he not only invites us to see but also to reflect. « Far from being mere snapshots of the moment, my photos are poignant stories, the narrative of people’s daily lives. And when I see the impact my images have on people, I think I made the right choice, even though my family didn’t approve of it at first. They considered me a hopeless case »,he said. His family believed he should have learned a different trade that would allow him to earn money more quickly. « Even though they eventually came to approve of my choice », he added.
From Cabaret to Port-au-Prince, he recalls the stereotypes that contrast people living in the countryside with those who spend almost all their time in the capital. It was a rite of passage he experienced firsthand. This changed his perspective on reality and helped him adapt to it. « When I arrived in the capital, my life was limited to school activities, with very little social life. That’s why, very quickly, I decided to go cover protests: against the high cost of living, rising oil prices, and so on. I wanted, in a way, to be of some use,» he declares. This is how he highlights a whole range of societal issues that require special attention.
For him, it was « a way to expose the hidden sides of city life ». He captured the true face of Port-au-Prince, with its dark sides and contrasts, to shed light on the structural and infrastructural problems that the government of the time was clumsily trying to hide. This would later get him into trouble.
The reasons behind his forced departure from Haiti
Working as a journalist in a country like Haiti involves enormous risks. Between persecution and intimidation, journalists have long paid a heavy price for press freedom. And Denilson was no exception. The young photojournalist was the target of repeated harassment and intimidation after immortalizing a demonstration. He was ordered to delete photos under pressure from the police. « The police officer told me that if I didn’t delete the photo, I would pay dearly. »
This was during the dramatic rise of the Fantom 509 movement, a group of police officers who acted violently during protests against the late Haitian president, Jovenel Moïse. « During a protest on the road to the airport, I remember taking a photo showing blatant police brutality. After it was published, I was warned by an older man from the Delmas 75 area, who begged me to take it down », recalls the reporter. Some of his fellow journalists also advised him to do so for fear that he might become a victim.
The harassment grew increasingly intense and turned into open threats. Denilson was therefore forced to leave Port-au-Prince and return to live in his hometown. But his nightmare was far from over... At that time, an armed group set up camp in Sources Matelas. « The area was plagued by killings and violence perpetrated by armed gangs. » As the situation took a turn for the worse, the radio stations began to report on it. « From then on, the bandits targeted me. Since I was a photojournalist. They broke into my house and killed my cousin », Denilson tells us, his voice trembling, overcome with emotion.
He was accused by the bandits of being behind the publication, in the press, of reports about their atrocities in the city. « I almost lost my life. So I had to flee once again », the photojournalist confides in this interview with IMÉDIAS. But this tragic episode changed the course of his life. He had to seek refuge in the United States, where he continued his work as a photojournalist, but specialized in covering sporting events.
A major turning point in his career
Thanks to this career shift, Denilson has established himself as a professional photojournalist on the international stage. After several years of hard work, he has just taken a significant step forward in his career. Denilson Mentor has just been selected by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) to cover the world’s biggest sporting event.
This new achievement marks a major turning point in his career. For the young photographer, « it is the culmination of years of effort and hope. » This is no coincidence. It is the result of years of hard work, driven by both belief and consistency. « I said it back in 2018: one day, I must participate in this major global event. » An idea he’d been nurturing for a long time. And this idea that drove him influenced his focus on sports, despite his deep love for breaking news photography.
A soccer enthusiast who proudly bears the first name of a former Brazilian soccer player as if a sign of destiny sees his selection as a photographer for the 2026 World Cup as « an opportunity to let Haiti shine off the field as well. » A double triumph for the young photography enthusiast. « I’m doubly happy and proud. My country has qualified for the World Cup after 52 years. And I’ve been selected by FIFA as a photographer to cover the event. It’s my way of representing my country, in a way. »
Denilson didn't hide his emotion when the news was announced. « I don't know how to explain it to you [...], I almost had a heart attack. I was so overwhelmed with emotion. It's a lifelong dream that's just come true [...] Honestly, I still can't believe it. » These intense emotions can only be understood in light of his journey and the difficulties he has faced in his life.
And according to him, this achievement can serve as an example to other young people, showing them that even their wildest dreams can come true one day. Denilson believes that « where you’re born doesn’t really determine where you’re going in life. » For this fiery young man, « once you identify what you need, you have to sacrifice as much as possible to achieve your goal. » Furthermore, the photographer selected by FIFA « encourages other young people in this field to bring more discipline and, above all, passion to it. »
From the streets of Carabet in Port-au-Prince to the World Cup pitches, Denilson Mentor is writing an extraordinary chapter in his career. His participation in this major global event is a testament to his determination. This is, therefore, the life story of a passionate and determined dreamer.
RÉDACTION : Delince JEAN-LOUIS
TRADUCTION : Jeff Lendel GEFFRARD
RÉVISION & CORRECTION : Peterson DORSAINVIL & Guerby JEAN
COPYRIGHT : © IMÉDIAS 2026
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