Haiti has qualified for the FIFA World Cup on a historic date.

There is historical background, and then there is the specific moment in history when you were present.

Haiti has qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1974, following a 2-0 victory over Nicaragua in Curaçao.

As Haiti qualifies for the World Cup for the first time in over 50 years, celebrations quickly gained popularity across Port-au-Prince and South Florida.

The Caribbean island, known for its passion for soccer and currently facing challenges related to gang violence and economic instability, has qualified for the 2026 World Cup. This marks Haiti’s first appearance in the tournament since 1974.

“After an election cycle when Haitians were being accused of eating pets, it was a reminder of the feeling I had growing up in Little Haiti, Miami. That feeling is, in the end all Haitians have is each other,” Midrene Lamy who is the Associate Manager of Community Programs and Partnerships at the Whitney Museum said. “This is why my first thought after learning Haiti qualified the World Cup was “the world better not let us win.”

Haiti secured one of three direct Concacaf qualifying spots with a victory over Nicaragua in Curaçao. This accomplishment is particularly noteworthy, as the Haitian team did not play any qualifying matches at home due to safety concerns related to gang violence, with their last home game-taking place in 2021.

FIFA Club World Cup Trophy Visits the City of Miami and Inter Miami CF Facilities

Haiti is the sole Caribbean team to have qualified for the FIFA World Cup on two occasions.

“This World Cup will share the story, pride, resilience and rich cultural phenomena of the Haitian people with the world,” Haiti-born Jean Hero Lamy now retired from the United States Navy as Senior Chief after 26 years said. “It’s a story that has been explored way too minimally; but now for the first time since modern technology and social media era, it will be displayed on the world’s ultimate and biggest stage.”

All of Haiti’s home matches have been relocated to neutral venues.

Haiti qualified on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, a date of notable historical significance. November 18 marks the anniversary of the Battle of Vertières, the decisive engagement in the country’s fight for independence from France.

Ruben Providence and Louicius Deedson scored for Haiti in the team’s victory over Nicaragua.

Haiti’s national team plays its home matches at Stade Sylvio Cator in Port-au-Prince. The stadium is named in honor of Sylvio Cator, a Haitian Olympic medalist and footballer, and received its current name in 1952. Prior to that, the venue was known as Parc Leconte, followed by Stade Paul-Magloire. The team is managed by Sébastien Migné.

Haiti (3-2-1) entered the evening tied with Honduras for the top position in their four-team qualifying group, and securing at least one additional point would ensure their qualification for the 48-team tournament scheduled for next summer in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

“As Haitian American, I am proud of the national team making it to the World Cup stage for the first time in my lifetime,” Human Resource manager Nathalie Antenor said. “With so many disappointments and attacks Haitians in the US, the homeland and abroad have to encounter, we are ready to unite and cheer on the boys in red and blue who will be proudly carrying the Haitian flag on their chest.”

Haiti has participated in CONCACAF’s premier continental competition a total of seventeen times. It is the only Caribbean team to have won a title, having secured the CONCACAF Championship in 1973. The team’s most notable performance under the CONCACAF Gold Cup format was reaching the semifinals in 2019. Additionally, Haiti has competed twice in League A and twice in League B of the CONCACAF Nations League. The team also made a single appearance in the Copa América, participating in the 2016 centennial edition.

“This is the best accomplishment for Haitian football in my lifetime,” Haiti-born Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist Dolce Lamy said. “I was only two years old when Haiti went to their first World Cup in 1974. All I know, I learned it from history. Today, I have a chance to experience everything. My kids are talking about it, it s great feeling.”

Concacaf has secured three direct qualification spots in addition to three host nation slots. Panama and Curaçao earned the other spots.

 

 

 

 

 

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