Hundreds of fans gathered across the Haitian capital on Friday to watch their national team take on Brazil in their second Group C match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Footage shows crowds packed around a public screen in Port-au-Prince, many chanting, dancing and cheering in their red and blue shirts jerseys.
Fans spoke of the pride of seeing their national team back at the tournament, and facing Brazil, one of the most successful sides in the game’s history.
“Seeing my country play in a World Cup for the first time, it is a great joy for us,” one fan said, “We are used to cheering for Brazil, Argentina, France, but cheering for our country this year is something good.”
For younger supporters, Haiti’s 1974 campaign in West Germany had lived only through family stories. Now, they had their own World Cup memory.
“It was my grandparents who told me about Haiti’s participation in a World Cup. Today, I have seen it, it is a source of pride. Even in defeat, I must raise the flag,” another added.
Haiti were making only their second World Cup appearance, and their first since 1974, ending a 52-year absence from football’s biggest stage.
Another fan, Stanley Antoine, said the team’s return had stirred a deep sense of national pride.
“I am really proud, proud of my country, proud to be Haitian. I am living this World Cup,” he said.
Brazil beat Haiti 3-0 in Philadelphia. But Haiti did not go quietly, troubling the Brazilians at times and creating several chances of their own.
The result officially ended Haiti’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup, after Sebastien Migne’s side had opened their campaign with defeat to Scotland.
Haiti will now close out their Group C campaign against Morocco in Atlanta on June 24.
Source: Viory
