For the first time in decades, Haitians found a moment of pure celebration as their national football team broke a 51-year drought to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, even as the country battles violent armed gangs and deepening instability.
The team sealed its place with a 2–0 victory over Nicaragua, boosted by a crucial draw between Costa Rica and Honduras.
For a brief moment, the chaos of everyday life; the shootings, hunger, and widespread displacement, slipped into the background as fans across the nation erupted in joy.
Haiti wasn’t just chasing a win. It wanted to show the world that despite overwhelming hardship, it still carries the same resilience and pride that have defined its long, difficult history.
Because of ongoing insecurity, the national coach has not set foot in Haiti, leading training sessions from the island of Curaçao, around 500 kilometers away.
Still, excitement stayed high on Wednesday as young boys gathered for practice with fresh determination, hoping one day to play on the world stage.
At Park Saint Teresein in Port-au-Prince, they trained under coach Jean Marcus Estana, a former national team player who fears for the future of Haitian football. Many training grounds have been destroyed, and there are far too few fields left.
“I want the state to step up and support young people so they can grow in the game,” he said.Among the players is 14-year-old Lian Tibule, who dreams of becoming a professional.
“Soccer is my passion. I want to play for the national team, go to the World Cup, and win it for my country,” he said.
For most of their lives, these children have cheered for countries like Brazil or Argentina.
Now, for the first time, they can proudly support their own nation and dream of seeing Haiti shine on the global stage next year.
