Haiti fans express concerns over exclusion from World Cup 2026

Haiti’s National Team Set to Make World Cup Debut Since 1974

Boston, United States - Haitians are eagerly anticipating their national team’s first World Cup appearance in over 50 years, but high ticket prices and transportation costs are deterring many from attending the games. The team will play Scotland on June 13 at Foxborough Stadium near Boston, followed by matches against Brazil on June 19 in Philadelphia and Morocco on June 24 in Atlanta.

According to Julio Midy, founder of Radio Concorde, a local Haitian community radio station, “Haiti’s return to the World Cup is a significant event for our community.” However, ticket prices are out of reach for many fans. Single tickets for the Scotland match were listed at $2,100 on FIFA’s website.

The Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority is charging $80 for round-trip train tickets from Boston’s South Station, while parking costs $150 and satellite lots range from $50 to over $100. The high cost of transportation has made it difficult for many Haitians in the local community to attend the games.

Haitian-American Boston City Councillor Ruthzee Louijeune expressed concerns about the affordability of tickets, stating that “it is cost-prohibitive for a number of people in our community.” She noted that some fans have purchased tickets at face value, but many others are unable to afford them due to financial constraints.

The US travel ban imposed by the Trump administration has also affected Haitian fans who cannot enter the country. Diaspora fans in the US are working to make the team feel proud despite these challenges.

This will be Haiti’s fourth appearance in Foxborough Stadium, with previous matches drawing large crowds averaging over 30,000 spectators. The national team’s return to the World Cup has generated significant excitement among Haitian fans in the US and abroad.

Source: Al Jazeera