Haiti Qualify for World Cup Despite Years of Turmoil and No Home Matches

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Haiti have secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup under extraordinarily challenging circumstances, having been unable to host a single match on home soil for the past four years due to the country’s prolonged instability.

The Caribbean nation has been in crisis since 2021, when President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated, an event that plunged the country into severe political and social unrest. In the years that followed, armed gangs have expanded their control, with current estimates indicating that approximately 85 per cent of the capital, Port-au-Prince, is now under gang influence.

Haiti’s national stadium, the Sylvio Cator Stadium, has also been overtaken and rendered completely unusable, leaving the national team without a home venue. As a result, the Haitians have been compelled to play all their designated “home” qualifiers in Curaçao.

Despite these daunting obstacles, the national team demonstrated remarkable resilience and determination, ultimately securing their place at the 2026 World Cup. Their achievement stands as a powerful testament to the spirit and perseverance of the Haitian people.

Author

  • My name is Emmanuel Austin Baah, professionally known as “Okocha”. I am a seasoned Ghanaian journalist, broadcaster and football commentator from Senya Bereku in the Central Region. My work reflects a strong commitment to factual reporting, ethical journalism and the continuous promotion of Ghanaian sports.

    I am currently pursuing my studies at Cape Coast Technical University, building on a solid foundation of media practice and communication. I previously served as a sports producer at Radio Gold (90.5) and Montie FM (100.1) in Accra, where I was actively involved in editorial planning, programme production, live commentary and in-depth sports analysis.

    Presently, I am a Senior Writer at SportsNetGhana.com, a role in which I produce well-researched features, match reports, athlete profiles and analytical pieces. My work consistently highlights emerging talents, captures key sporting developments and contributes to shaping informed sports discourse in Ghana.

    Over the course of my career, I have covered numerous major sporting events both locally and internationally. Among these, the highlight remains my coverage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, a significant milestone that strengthened my expertise in global football reporting and enhanced my understanding of international sports dynamics.

    I am widely recognised for my clarity of analysis, engaging commentary style and strong command of both local and global football trends. Beyond the newsroom, I participate in community initiatives aimed at developing young sports journalists and promoting youth engagement in sports.

    For professional engagements, media collaborations or enquiries, please contact me on 0265284330.

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