Haiti Erupts in Joy As The Nation Returns To The World Cup After 52 Years

The heartbeat of Haiti — Konpa, Rara, Rabòday — is thundering across the world today as Haitians everywhere celebrate a moment more than half a century in the making: Haiti is officially headed to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Last night, Haiti secured a historic 2–0 victory over Nicaragua in the Concacaf qualifiers, clinching a direct berth to the global tournament. The last time Haiti stood on the World Cup stage was in 1974 — and for generations of Haitians, this moment feels nothing short of destiny.

HAITI ARE INTO THEIR FIRST WORLD CUP IN HALF A CENTURY ❤️ pic.twitter.com/GozOLqXUBb

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) November 19, 2025

“This is unbelievable. Fifty-two years! We are back,” said Dr. Joseph Durandis, a Haiti-born South Florida physician, speaking to the Miami Herald. “A country that is going through hell right now… after all the odds, Haiti is back in the World Cup.”

A Victory Written in History

Haiti’s triumph came on a powerfully symbolic date: November 18, the anniversary of the 1803 Battle of Vertières, the decisive military win that cemented Haiti’s independence and established the world’s first free Black republic.

“November 18, 220 years after Vertières — Haiti is back,” Dr. Durandis said, nearly losing his voice. “We’ve won another battle, this time on the soccer field. This country cannot die… Haiti is back!”

Celebrations From Port-au-Prince to Miami, New York, Montreal & Beyond

From the island to the diaspora, Haitians poured into streets, living rooms, and social feeds waving flags, blasting Konpa, and dancing in cathartic celebration.

In Haiti, where joy has often fought through layers of hardship — political unrest, natural disasters, and relentless gang violence — this qualification feels like a long-awaited breath of hope. The national team hasn’t even been able to play on home soil since 2021 after the main stadium was deemed unsafe, making this moment even more profound.

“What the people of Haiti have been through… this is going to bring life to a nation that needs that ounce of hope,” former U.S. soccer star Charlie Davies said on CBS Sports Golazo. “This is the power of the game… I am so moved by Haiti and what they have been able to accomplish.”

 

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A Global Underdog Story

Haiti joins a wave of historic qualifiers for 2026, including small nations like Curaçao and Cape Verde, each punching above their size on the world stage.

But for Haiti, a country that has endured more hardship than most, the victory resonates on a deeper, almost spiritual level.

After 52 long years, Haiti is stepping back onto the world’s biggest soccer stage — carrying not just a team, but the pride, pain, and unbreakable spirit of an entire nation.

Haiti is back.