Haiti's World Cup dream brings hope amid gang violence in 2026

Haiti's national soccer team qualifies for the 2026 World Cup, offering hope in a nation plagued by gang violence and crises.

Violence paused for football Two days of calm descended on Haiti's capital Port-au-Prince in 2004 when Brazil arrived for an exhibition match in the conflict-ridden country. Local journalists like Pierre Richard Midy were questioned by foreign friends about the unusual scene, to which he replied that the Brazilian players seemed to be playing on home soil. Thousands of Haitians lined the streets and climbed trees to catch a glimpse of legends such as Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, and Roberto Carlos, many wearing yellow and green and waving Brazilian flags. Though Haiti lost 6-0, the UN-organized friendly represented far more than a game for a nation struggling under gang control. Midy recalls an unusual sense of peace, with gangs reportedly ready to pause their activities for the match. ## World Cup reunion with Brazil Two decades later, Haiti finds itself in Group C of the 2026 World Cup alongside Brazil, Scotland, and Morocco, marking a rare opportunity to face their long-time inspiration on the global stage. Streets in Port-au-Prince have been cleaned and adorned with Haitian flags as fans prepare to watch the tournament despite chronic electricity shortages across the country. For many Haitians, football symbolizes hope rather than results, echoing the spirit of the 2004 match that briefly united a divided nation. ## Home games remain a distant memory Haiti has not played a home match in five years due to gang dominance and a worsening humanitarian crisis worsened by disasters like the 2010 earthquake, which claimed over 100,000 lives. The national team's coach has never set foot in Haiti, and most players were born abroad. Even attending the World Cup is difficult for fans because of travel restrictions and costs stemming from U.S. policies. Haiti's all-time top scorer Duckens Nazon explained the emotional weight of representing a country he never lived in, saying: 'When we put the shirt on, it's more than a normal game. We are the first independent black nation in the world. We have a lot of history. We have to assume this role.' ## A player from the heart of danger Woodensky Pierre, Haiti's only locally based player, grew up in the notorious Cite Soleil slum and plays for Violette AC, a club whose home stadium Stade Sylvio Cator hosted Haiti's home games until gangs seized control two years ago. Despite winning the national league a month before the World Cup, Violette's championship final started late due to nearby gunfire. Woodensky was initially called up by coach Sebastien Migne based solely on online videos, as the coach could not observe him in person. Midy noted Woodensky's instinctive play, saying: 'This player is from one of the most dangerous neighbourhoods in Haiti. He plays with instinct because he learned early that hesitation costs you everything.' ## Carrying hope beyond the pitch Woodensky's journey resonates deeply with Haitians, who see him as a living testament to resilience. Midy described him as a symbol of hope, saying: 'He is precious for Haitian people because we think he's the one to say, 'we are not dead, we have talent here'. He always says, 'I'm not only carrying the ball, I'm carrying the hopes where I come from'.' Nazon believes the team's example can inspire peace and deter youth from violence, stating: 'This is what we try to share with the new generation. You're not obligated to take weapons. You're not obligated to go with gangs or to deal or smoke drugs. There are so many ways to get out of the struggle.' ## A nation in chaos Haiti's instability peaked in 2021 with the assassination of President Jovenel Moise, leaving a power vacuum that gangs filled. According to Amnesty International, 5,600 people were reportedly killed in 2024 alone in a country of about 11.5 million. The national team plays 'home' matches 500 miles away in Curacao, and 16 of Haiti's 26-man squad were born abroad across five countries, representing clubs from 15 nations. French coach Sebastien Migne, formerly Cameroon's assistant at Qatar 2022, has united this diverse group, saying: 'I just tell them put your heart in it.' ## Dual roots and reconnections Nazon, born in France to Haitian parents, is celebrated as a national hero despite scoring 44 goals in 80 appearances for Haiti. Midy called him 'the chuchu of Haiti,' explaining: 'Haitian people always see in him, an example of someone who feels more Haitian than every person born and raised in Haiti.' Defender Hannes Delcroix, born in Haiti but adopted by a Belgian family at age two, reconnected with his biological family in recent years and chose to represent Haiti in 2025. Delcroix said: 'I think I just wanted to know first if she is OK, she is healthy, if everyone is safe. If there's anything I can help, this kind of stuff.' He added: 'The first time when we got together, I felt like I was not alone.' ## Symbolic qualification date Haiti secured their World Cup spot on November 18, a historically significant day marking the 1803 Battle of Vertieres, when enslaved people overthrew French rule. The team initially planned to wear a kit featuring an image of the battle but were forced to change the design days before the tournament began after FIFA ruled it violated rules against political messaging on uniforms. Fans have had to improvise to watch matches due to electricity shortages, with local groups distributing solar-powered televisions to support viewing in neighborhoods. ## Diaspora fuels team spirit Though Haiti has not played a home game since 2021, the team enjoys strong support across the diaspora, estimated at nearly two million people. During a recent warm-up match against Peru in Miami, fans filled Nu Stadium, helped by a vibrant Haitian community in South Florida's Little Haiti neighborhood. The team will seek similar support in Boston, home to a large U.S. Haitian community, where they open their World Cup campaign against Scotland on Saturday at 02:00 BST. Nazon reflected on the emotional impact, saying: 'I think I still haven't realised yet. The point where we're going to really realise, I think it's going to be when the first game is going to start. Yo guys, we are in the World Cup now!' ## Brazilian rivals turn into rivals Haiti's second World Cup match will be against Brazil, a team many Haitians once supported out of pride and lack of a national team to cheer for. Nazon urged Haitians to shift their loyalty, stating: 'They had nothing to grab before and say, 'I'm proud' or 'I have my national team'. But now they have a national team who play the World Cup so they should be proud. They can like Brazil, they can like other teams, but only support us.' ## Football as a force for unity Midy emphasized football's potential to bridge divides in Haiti, noting: 'All the gang leaders are soccer lovers.' He recalled seeing gang leaders celebrating in the streets with music after Haiti qualified for the World Cup. Nazon remembered similar scenes after the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup semi-finals, saying: 'They showed us some videos. It was crazy. I never see this in my life. So many people outside - gang people and civilians together - just enjoying the moment.' The team hopes to sustain this spirit beyond the tournament, aiming to create lasting peace.