Is it possible for a soccer team to return to the World Cup tournament after a devastating 52 years of not qualifying? Recently, the Haitian men’s soccer team did just that by qualifying for Group C in the FIFA World Cup, which will take place right here in the United States. They will be playing against Brazil in the first round on July 19th, 2026.  

This men’s soccer team last qualified for the World Cup in 1974. However, that year, they ultimately lost all three of their qualifying matches in the group stage and were eliminated from the competition before having the chance to move on to the knockout stage of the competition.

Haiti’s team is excited to be back in the World Cup, an experience that brings joy and peace to the world, uniting various individuals from different regions and nationalities. 

Hannis Del Qua, a defender on the Haitian team, was especially excited. “I joined the Haiti national team to help the country achieve our goal and to help Haiti actually go to the World Cup,” said this Englishman on CBS Sports Golazo America. “For me, it was so good to see us win the last and get to our goal.” 

On the other hand, the Trump administration’s restrictions on travel and immigration will make it hard for excited Haitian fans to come see Haiti play in the US. According to the American Immigration Council, “On June 4, 2025, President Donald Trump issued a proclamation restricting or limiting the entry of nationals from 19 countries…unless they have a valid visa issued before June 9, 2025.” This ban included Haiti; however, Haitians only found out that their team had qualified for the World Cup on November 18th, 2025. As a result, many fans of the team had probably not applied before then. 

An article published by the American Immigration Council explains how the administration’s restrictions are causing some teams to drop out of the World Cup due to the team's desire for the fans’ support. For example, “Iran . . . decided to boycott the draw altogether, claiming that the U.S. denied visas to members of its delegation,” according to the American Immigration Council. 

So, for the 19 countries under the travel bans, only the teams, coaches, support staff, and the player’s immediate family are allowed to enter the United States. Even the Haitian citizens who are currently living in America might not get to see their team play. This is because the Trump administration is taking away the work protection for Haitians citizens who live in the US. 

Also, “... 340,000 Haitians currently living in the country will lose legal protection and work authorization by February 3, 2026,” according to the American Immigration Council.  “And with the White House not ruling out immigration enforcement actions at World Cup games, some newly-undocumented Haitian fans may face a risk by watching their team play in-person.” 

Meanwhile, according to Karim Zidan, a writer who investigates where politics and sports meet said on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation that, “[FIFA] is an organization that presents itself as international that also presents itself as a harbinger of peace and preaches the value of football as a bringer of peace. And yet it really doesn’t match what we see in action and that it is very clear that this is a World Cup to feature American politics.” 

As of Monday February 3rd, a federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump

administration’s ending of the Temporary Protected Status for Haitians. Though the Trump administration is sure to appeal this decision, it might open the doors for Haitians in the United States to see their beloved team play in the World Cup.  

In the meantime, not only are Haitian citizens thrilled about Haiti’s World Cup participation, so are students and teachers at MHS. 

“It took Haiti a long time to get to where they are now and Haiti has been trying so hard for so many years to make it to the World Cup and finally they made it,” said Zyherah, a 10th grader at MHS. “Overall, I was happy and excited for them. My dad and I were celebrating when it happened and it meant more to me because my dad and I are both Haitian.”  

“I always feel a great connection to the World Cup given the international students that I work with,” said Edgar Canty, who teaches ELL (English Language Learners) at MHS and, therefore, working with students from not only Haiti but also from Brazil, Angola, Ghana, China, Vietnam, and Bangladesh. 

“It’s very exciting to see Haiti, especially playing against Scotland in Foxborough,” said Canty. “My grandmother is from Scotland and I just hope for a great game for both sides. ”

 Now we would like to know if any of the students at MHS will be watching the World Cup. If you are interested, please help the EITR to help us gather more information by responding to a quick google form on who you will be rooting for during the World Cup.