Haiti's World Cup debut hampered by security woes, visa limits and kit ban

Haiti qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, its first appearance since 1974, but the team faces severe challenges. Coach Sébastien Migné and his players, including midfielder Jean‑Ricner Bellegarde and striker Duckens Nazon, live in exile because the National Stadium in Port‑au‑Prince has been closed and 90% of the capital is controlled by gangs. Home matches were moved to Curaçao, and the squad struggles with U.S. visa restrictions that prevent many Haitians from traveling.

Travel difficulties intensified when Nazon, who plays for Iran’s Esteghlal, was forced to abandon a flight after a war broke out, enduring a 20‑hour overland journey through Azerbaijan to reach safety. Meanwhile, FIFA halted Haiti’s original World Cup jersey, which featured an illustration of the 1803 Battle of Vertières, deeming the political motif prohibited. The Colombian manufacturer Saeta quickly produced a revised kit. The team’s debut matches will be against Scotland, Brazil and Morocco, offering the nation a rare moment of pride amid ongoing humanitarian crisis.

The combined security, logistical and regulatory obstacles highlight the stark contrast between the hopes placed on football and the dire conditions facing Haiti’s 12 million residents.