Haiti Opens World Cup Return Against Scotland in Boston as 5,600 Killings Shadow Homecoming
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jun 13
Haiti Opens World Cup Return Against Scotland in Boston as 5,600 Killings Shadow Homecoming
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 13
Summary
Boston hosts Haiti's first men's World Cup match since 1974 on Saturday, with the Caribbean side opening Group C against Scotland after qualifying for a second tournament appearance.
Five years without a home game and a chronic security crisis have shaped that return: gangs control large parts of Haiti, 5,600 people were reported killed in 2024, and the team now stages 'home' matches 500 miles away in Curacao.
A 26-man squad drawn from 25 clubs in 15 countries reflects Haiti's diaspora reality, with 16 players born abroad and coach Sebastien Migne never having set foot on the island.
Port-au-Prince fans are still treating the tournament as a rare source of unity and hope, improvising with generators and solar-powered TV kits to watch because electricity shortages and U.S. travel bans keep many from attending.
As Haiti plays in the US, are visa policies creating an invisible barrier for the fans who need this hope the most?
Can this World Cup spark lasting peace in Haiti, or is it merely a brief distraction from the nation's ongoing crisis?
Haiti’s 2026 World Cup Return: A 52-Year Journey of Resilience, Diaspora Pride, and Hope Amid Crisis
Overview
On June 13, 2026, Haiti’s national soccer team made a historic return to the World Cup after 54 years, playing their opening match against Scotland in Boston. This event sparked immense pride and unity among Haitians worldwide, with celebrations stretching from Port-au-Prince to the global diaspora. The atmosphere in Boston was electric, as families and friends gathered, many wearing the national team’s kit, to support their team. Despite challenges such as security concerns that forced the team to play qualifiers abroad, this match became a powerful symbol of resilience and hope for Haitians everywhere.