Just a few days before the Haitian team’s debut at the 2026 World Cup, enthusiasm is evident on the streets of Port-au-Prince. Fifty-two years after its first and only participation in a World Cup, Haiti is preparing to return to football’s biggest stage.
But, for many fans, demonstrating this passion has become an unexpected challenge: the official uniforms of the Grenadiers, as the players are called, are practically unavailable on the supplier Saeta’s website, where several models appear out of stock.
Less than a week before the debut, finding the official shirt has become a real obstacle course. In Pétion-Ville, Richardson says he multiplied his searches without success.
“After 52 years, Haiti is back in the World Cup, and that arouses immense pride,” he explained. “There are teachers who want to wear the national team’s shirt. There are priests, pastors who also want to wear the uniform. It makes you want to say that the entire country wants to buy this product. But, unfortunately, it is difficult to find the original shirt.”
The shortage opened space for the proliferation of counterfeit products, widely available on the streets of the capital. Other fans end up having to be less demanding. This is the case of Jean-Charles, who considers that the essential thing is to support the team, regardless of the origin of the shirt. “This situation surprises me. It’s difficult to find an original shirt,” he said.
“I’m practically forced to buy a counterfeit shirt on the street. But despite that, it’s a good thing. It’s a great source of pride for us to see Haiti participate in the World Cup after 52 years of absence. We really wanted to experience this, especially us young people. For me, it’s already a victory, whether I find a shirt or not,” he told RFI.
While there is no forecast of restocking, many fans will have to choose between waiting or resorting to copies available on the informal market. What is certain is that, with the World Cup approaching, football fever has already taken over the streets of Port-au-Prince, where national team flags and colors are multiplying.
Haiti’s qualification for the World Cup was celebrated as a historic feat. The team secured their place after beating Nicaragua 2-0, finishing at the top of their group in the qualifiers. Fifty-two years after participating in 1974, the country returns to compete in the tournament, rekindling expectations and national pride.
Caribbean celebrates
Another Caribbean island also made history: Curaçao achieved its first qualification for a World Cup. The team held on to a 0-0 draw against Jamaica, a result enough to finish top of group B. With around 150,000 inhabitants, it became the least populous country to qualify for the tournament.
The achievement sparked celebrations in Willemstad, the capital of Curaçao, where bars and restaurants were taken over by fans celebrating the feat. The “Blue Wave”, as the team is called, will make its debut carrying the symbolism of representing one of the smallest nations ever present at the World Cup.
With information from Peterson Luxama, RFI correspondent in Port-au-Prince
