Haiti’s troubles fade briefly as it revels in World Cup qualification

Amid a backdrop of violence, hunger, and political instability, Haiti experienced a rare moment of collective joy on Tuesday as its national soccer team secured a World Cup qualification for the first time since 1974. The 2-0 victory over Nicaragua sends Haiti to soccer’s most prestigious tournament for only the second time in the nation’s history.

Louicius Deedson ignited the celebration nine minutes into the match with the opening goal, followed by Ruben Providence’s header just before halftime. The win coincided with the 222nd anniversary of the Battle of Vertières, a pivotal moment that helped establish Haiti as the world’s first Black republic.

“It means more than just a win. It is hope, it is unity at a time when the country faces so many challenges,” said Pierre Jean-Jacques, a 25-year-old mechanic who watched the match from home. “I was fully focused. My heart was racing.”

After the final whistle, thousands of jubilant fans poured into streets normally deserted after dark due to rampant gang violence and kidnappings. The rare public celebration highlighted how deeply meaningful the victory was for a population enduring multiple ongoing crises.

The team’s journey to qualification has been anything but conventional. Unable to play home games in Haiti due to security concerns, the squad hosted matches on the Dutch Caribbean island of Curaçao. Armed gangs control up to 90% of Port-au-Prince, making normal sporting events impossible within the country.

French coach Sébastien Migné managed several players remotely, unable to travel to Haiti where gang violence has repeatedly forced the closure of the main international airport. Despite these extraordinary challenges, the team persevered, giving their nation a symbolic victory that transcends sports.

When Deedson scored the opening goal, celebratory gunfire erupted across neighborhoods, momentarily alarming some residents accustomed to associating such sounds with violence. André Michaud, a 23-year-old student watching at a local bar with generator power during yet another blackout, initially feared gang activity.

“I didn’t know if the gangs had invaded,” Michaud said, adding that he relaxed after realizing the gunfire was celebratory. “All my life, I’ve been supporting other teams in the World Cup: Brazil, Argentina. Now, I can finally support my country. I’m hopeful that Haiti can go far.”

The qualification holds particular significance for a nation where more than 4,300 people were killed from January to September this year. In a powerful scene following the victory, a jubilant crowd marched through rain-soaked streets chanting, “Haiti has qualified! We don’t have a state!”—a direct reference to the political vacuum plaguing the country.

In Pétionville, thousands danced late into the night. When occasional gunfire punctuated the celebrations, crowds raised their hands and cheered—a stark contrast to the fear such sounds normally provoke in daily life.

The World Cup qualification represents a rare positive headline for Haiti, which has struggled with compounding crises including political assassinations, natural disasters, and the proliferation of gang violence that has displaced hundreds of thousands of residents. International humanitarian organizations have warned of worsening food insecurity across the country, with millions facing hunger.

Forward Duckens Nazon addressed supporters in a video posted online after the match, saying: “I hope you guys are going to enjoy it. It’s not finished. It’s just the start. There are many people who didn’t believe in us, but us, we believe in us.”

For a nation whose troubles have seemed insurmountable, the victory offers a temporary respite and a reminder of what’s possible when Haitians unite around a common goal. Vladimir Dorvale, an 18-year-old fan with a small Haitian flag tied around his neck, summed up the sentiment: “They couldn’t have chosen a better date for our warriors to go to the World Cup.”

As dawn broke on Wednesday, the euphoria remained high across Haiti—a country that, at least for a moment, found reason to celebrate together despite its profound challenges.