For nearly two hours on Tuesday, Haiti’s daily hardships seemed to slip into the background as the nation came together to witness its football team clinch a long-awaited World Cup berth — the first since 1974.
The country’s ongoing crises — rampant violence, widespread hunger and deepening homelessness — were momentarily forgotten after Louicius Deedson struck early in the ninth minute, followed by a well-timed header from Ruben Providence just before halftime. The 2-0 victory over Nicaragua secured only the second World Cup qualification in Haiti’s history.
Excited cries of “Grenadye, alaso!” echoed through streets, homes, and temporary shelters as supporters urged the Grenadiers to keep pressing forward. For Haitians, this wasn’t just a crucial win — it was a statement of resilience.
“This is more than a football match. It represents hope and unity while our country faces so many difficulties,” said Pierre Jean-Jacques, a 25-year-old mechanic who watched from home. His heart thumped throughout the game, he said, before joining thousands who celebrated late into the night in streets normally deserted out of fear of shootings or kidnappings.
“This win gives us a rare moment of happiness,” he added. “I feel proud — it makes me believe we can rise again.”
The triumph also coincided with the 222nd anniversary of the Battle of Vertières, a defining moment that propelled Haiti to become the world’s first Black republic. “There could not have been a more meaningful date for our team to make history,” said 18-year-old Vladimir Dorvale, walking with a Haitian flag draped around his shoulders.
Teams which have qualified for the 2026 World Cup
Haiti’s path to qualification was far from easy. The team played all home fixtures in Curaçao because conditions in Port-au-Prince remain too dangerous — armed groups now control as much as 90% of the capital. Coach Sébastien Migné even had to supervise some players remotely, as repeated violence forced airport closures and prevented him from traveling.
When Deedson scored the first goal, gunfire rang out in the neighborhood of student André Michaud, who was watching the match at a nearby bar due to a blackout. Startled at first, he soon realized the shots were celebratory. “I’ve always rooted for Brazil or Argentina,” he said. “Now I finally get to cheer for my own country. I believe Haiti can go far.”
Even heavy rain couldn’t stop jubilant crowds from parading through narrow streets, singing “Haiti has qualified! We don’t have a state!” — a pointed remark about the nation’s political chaos. Large gatherings also filled the streets of Pétionville, where brief gunfire only fueled the cheers of fans accustomed to living in danger.
Forward Duckens Nazon shared a hopeful message online: “Enjoy this moment. This is only the beginning. Many doubted us, but we never doubted ourselves.”
Source: AP