Country profile
Haiti
Republic of Haiti
Key facts
Capital
Port-au-Prince
Population
11,600,000
Confederation
CONCACAF
FIFA code
HAI
Overview
Haiti occupies the western third of the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean, sharing a border with the Dominican Republic. As the world's first independent Black republic, born of a successful slave revolution in 1804, it carries a proud and defiant national spirit.
Despite chronic political instability and natural disasters, Haiti's cultural vibrancy — its Kreyòl language, kompa music and visual art — pulses through everyday life. Football is woven into that fabric, a source of joy and identity in the toughest of times.
The national team, nicknamed Les Grenadiers, represents not just the homeland but a vast, passionate diaspora across North America and France who follow every match.
Football culture
Football is by far the most popular sport in Haiti, played barefoot in dusty streets and on rocky pitches across Port-au-Prince and beyond. Fans idolize the heroes of 1974 and pour fierce devotion into every fixture. The diaspora supplies much of the modern talent pool.
World Cup history
Haiti's lone previous World Cup appearance came in 1974 in West Germany, where Emmanuel Sanon famously scored against legendary Italian goalkeeper Dino Zoff, ending his record shutout streak. They exited at the group stage but etched their name into folklore. Reaching 2026 marks a long-awaited return after half a century away.
Location
Did you know
- Haiti became the world's first independent Black republic in 1804.
- Emmanuel Sanon scored Haiti's iconic 1974 goal against Italy's Dino Zoff.
- Kompa music is the heartbeat of Haitian celebrations and matchdays.
- Haiti shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic.
- A huge diaspora in the US, Canada and France fuels the national team.
From Wikipedia
Haiti, officially the Republic of Haiti, is a country in the Caribbean on the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean Sea, east of Cuba and Jamaica and south of The Bahamas. It occupies the western side of the island, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Haiti is the third largest country in the Caribbean…
Source: Wikipedia →