Le Havre AC prepares for a new battle in Ligue 1. After a complicated season in 2025-2026, the club must ensure its survival in Ligue 1. The main movement concerns Issa Soumaré, who left Le Havre to join Rennes after a season in which he was one of the most important offensive players in the club. He had scored eight goals in Ligue 1. His departure represents a significant sporting loss for the HAC.
To numerically fill this departure and renew its attacking sector at least, Le Havre has notably registered the arrival of Sota Nakamura, on loan from Sanfrecce Hiroshima. Le Havre should not have any other goal than the maintenance. But behind this minimal ambition, there is a real issue: avoiding living again a season looking towards the red zone.
This red zone, the havrais risk seeing it from close up from the beginning of the season because the Normans were not seeded in the draw. The HAC will start its season at home with a particularly difficult match against Monaco, on Sunday 23 August. From the second day, the Havre will travel to Lyon. Another appointment to note: the reception of PSG on the 4th day, September 13. An entry that will allow us to quickly measure the level of HAC against the formations candidates for the first places.
The number to remember: 8 goals, that's the number of realizations scored by Issa Soumaré last season. A number that summarizes the problem faced by Le Havre: replacing part of its offensive production while keeping a financially reasonable staff. Le Havre AC must ensure its survival in Ligue 1 after a complicated season in 2025-2026. The club has lost a key striker, Issa Soumaré, but has signed Sota Nakamura to strengthen its attacking sector. Le Havre AC must avoid living again a season looking towards the red zone. The 2025-2026 season was complicated for Le Havre AC, which finished 14th in Ligue 1 with 29 points, 6 wins, 11 draws and 12 losses in 29 matches. The club lost 37 goals and scored 24, for a total of -13 goals.
