Haiti's World Cup journey begins: Tournament opens today

The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off today, June 11, in three host nations — the United States, Canada, and Mexico — and for the first time in 52 years, Haiti is part of it. Les Grenadiers do not play today, but the tournament's opening marks the end of a half-century wait that began in 1974 in West Germany.

Haiti's Group C campaign opens Saturday, June 13, against Scotland at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts (9 p.m. ET, FS1). Coach Sébastien Migné has a 26-man squad finalized since May 15 — 25 of them diaspora-based — led by captain Johny Placide (SC Bastia) and attacking talismans Duckens Nazon (Esteghlal, 44 international goals) and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde (Wolverhampton Wanderers).

Pre-tournament form was encouraging: Haiti crushed New Zealand 4-0 on June 2 at Chase Stadium, Fort Lauderdale — Ruben Providence (12'), Lenny Joseph (51'), Frantzdy Pierrot (62'), and Duke Lacroix (87') on the scoresheet — before losing 2-1 to Peru on June 5 in Miami. A kit controversy added drama when FIFA ordered changes to the original design featuring the 1803 Battle of Vertières, which was deemed political under equipment regulations. Manufacturer Saeta implemented the modifications.

The broader diaspora narrative — Brooklyn, Miami, Montréal, Boston — is already mobilized. As sports.bvn.app noted ahead of today's date: for twelve million Haitians scattered across the island and its diaspora, this World Cup represents a shared moment of collective attention not experienced since 1974.

"Football is a vehicle for national unity." — Sunrise Airways press release, June 5, 2026, on the airline's partnership with the FHF for the World Cup.

Key facts

Haiti enter their first FIFA World Cup since 1974, a gap of 52 years; they are the only Caribbean nation to have qualified for two World Cups.
Haiti's Group C schedule: vs Scotland, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, June 13 (9 p.m. ET); vs Brazil, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, June 19 (8:30 p.m. ET); vs Morocco, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, June 24 (6 p.m. ET).
The 26-man squad, finalized May 15, 2026, includes 25 diaspora-based players; Woodensky Pierre (Violette AC) is the sole home-based player.
Haiti defeated New Zealand 4-0 on June 2, 2026 at Chase Stadium, Fort Lauderdale (scorers: Providence 12', Joseph 51', Pierrot 62', Lacroix 87').
FIFA ordered Haiti's kit redesigned before the tournament after the original shirt depicting the 1803 Battle of Vertières was deemed to violate equipment regulations on political imagery.
Haitian airline Sunrise Airways was announced as the FHF's official airline partner on June 5, 2026.
Emmanuel 'Manno' Sanon (1974) remains Haiti's all-time World Cup top scorer with 2 goals; Duckens Nazon (44 international goals) is the national team's all-time leading marksman heading into 2026.