Haiti's men's national football team is set to make its long-awaited return to the FIFA World Cup after a 52-year absence, and for many Haitians, this moment represents a beacon of hope in a nation wracked by gang violence and humanitarian crisis. As the team prepares to face Brazil in Group C alongside Scotland and Morocco, the stadium-sized question on everyone's lips is: can football bring the country together?
The power of football to transcend conflict was vividly demonstrated in 2004 when then-world champions Brazil played an exhibition match in Port-au-Prince. Despite a 6-0 loss for Haiti, the United Nations-organised friendly brought the capital to a standstill, with thousands lining the streets and gangs reportedly ceasing fire for two days. This historic precedent sets the stage for the current anticipation, with Haitians devising creative solutions to watch matches amid chronic electricity shortages – from makeshift screens in public spaces to mobile phone signals being hijacked to broadcast live scores.
The challenges facing the Haitian team are formidable: a severe security situation has meant that the national team has not played a home match for five years, with coach Sebastien Migne having never set foot on the island. Many players were born abroad, and US travel bans have made it difficult for fans to attend the World Cup. Yet striker Duckens Nazon, Haiti's all-time top scorer, reminds his teammates of their responsibility: '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 poignant example of resilience is Woodensky Pierre, the squad's only domestic-based player. Born and raised in Cite Soleil, one of Haiti's most troubled neighbourhoods, Pierre plays for Violette AC – whose home ground was seized by gangs two years ago. His inclusion in the national team, initially based on online videos due to the coach's inability to watch him play in person, highlights his raw talent and determination. Journalist Pierre Richard Midy notes that Pierre's call-up embodies the spirit of hope the team aims to foster: 'He always says, "I'm not only carrying the ball, I'm carrying the hopes where I come from."'
Nazon believes that the team's example can have a lasting legacy of peace and inspire the next generation. 'You're not obligated to take up arms,' he states. 'You're not obligated to join gangs or deal in drugs. There are so many ways to escape the struggle.' The assassination of Haiti's president in 2021 plunged the country further into chaos, making the team's World Cup appearance all the more significant – and poignant.