Haiti Celebrates with Euphoria its Qualification to the Soccer World Cup
Port-au-Prince, despite the growing violence, took to the streets to celebrate the historic qualification of its national soccer team for the World Cup. The Haitian team secured its place after defeating Nicaragua with a score of 2-0 in the last matchday of Group C of the qualifiers. Joy overflowed in the capital, with shots and shouts echoing in the metropolitan area. In Pétion-ville, hundreds of people celebrated the victory with chants and dances, demonstrating the passion for football that unites the nation. The selection, led by Frenchman Sébastien Migné, is preparing for its second participation in the World Cup, after its debut in Germany 1974. Due to the insecurity situation in the country, Haiti played its qualifying matches abroad, this time in Curaçao. The Stade Sylvio Cator, its main stadium, has been under the control of armed gangs since March 2024. The classification has generated an atmosphere of celebration and hope in the population.
The Prime Minister, Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, described the classification as “another victory and another page in history.” The French embassy in Haiti and the United States also congratulated the Haitian selection for their achievement.“On this symbolic day of November 18th, the date of the Battle of Vertières, the Grenadiers have given the Haitian people a moment of deep pride and national communion.”
Laurent Saint-Cyr
