Haiti’s national team has achieved one of the greatest feats in world football: qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, marking their return after a 52-year absence. This remarkable achievement was forged far from their homeland, without their own stadium and amidst the deep crisis plaguing the Caribbean country. While Port-au-Prince suffers from the violence of armed groups, who have even taken the Sylvio Cator Stadium, the team has found in exile the strength to restore hope to an entire people.
Historical Ranking after 52 Years
The selection, known as Les Grenadiers, a name inspired by Haitian military tradition, returns to a World Cup for the second time in its history, after its debut in Germany 1974. Since 2021, they have not played a single match on Haitian soil, using Curaçao as their adopted venue due to insecurity. Despite these difficulties, they demonstrated character and resilience throughout the qualifying process, including an epic comeback against Costa Rica, where they achieved a 3-3 draw, thanks to a “hat-trick” by Duckens Nazon, the emotional leader of the team. This reaction was key and culminated in a 2-0 victory over Nicaragua, securing their place in the World Cup.A Country in Crisis, a Team that Resists
The ranking has a special meaning for a nation that has suffered greatly. Following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, gangs took control of several areas, creating a power vacuum that severely affected daily life.The team’s victory will not solve the deep problems of Haitian society. But it is a relief. Even with hunger, one can be proud. Hunger does not prohibit joy.
Patrice Dumont, former senator and commentator
The Legacy of Emmanuel Sanon
The ranking also honors the memory of Emmanuel “Manno” Sanon, the most emblematic figure in Haitian football. Sanon scored Haiti’s only two goals in the 1974 World Cup and broke Dino Zoff’s record of 1,143 minutes without conceding a goal. His spirit, linked to resistance and national pride, is present in this new generation, which is fulfilling a dream that the idol could not see in life.The Diaspora, the Team’s Silent Engine
Another crucial factor on the road to the World Cup has been the Haitian diaspora, which has not only filled stadiums outside the country but has also financially supported the team. The official jersey, manufactured by the Colombian brand Saeta, became a symbol of identity and support. After the classification, more than a thousand orders were registered in a few hours, which shows that, although they are far from home, Haitians keep the connection with their selection alive.A Triumph That Goes Beyond Sport
Without playing a single match in their country and facing adversities that go beyond sports, Haiti has achieved the greatest gesture of collective resilience in decades. Their qualification for the 2026 World Cup is a powerful message to their people: even in the midst of darkness, football can ignite a spark of hope.
