Haiti launches $8K signing contest ahead of FIFA World Cup return

CAP-HAÏTIEN — Haiti’s Ministry of Culture and Communication (MCC) has launched a national singing contest to rally support for Les Grenadiers ahead of their historic return to the FIFA World Cup — the country’s first appearance in 52 years.

The winner will receive 1 million gourdes or about $8,000, according to the ministry’s announcement on March 31.

Open to amateur and professional artists alike, the contest invites participants to submit original songs in Haitian Creole under the theme “Ayiti Alaso,” a variation of the national team’s famous rally cry “Grenadye Alaso,” meaning “Warriors, let’s go” — rooted in Haiti’s revolutionary era.

Submissions must not exceed one minute and are due by April 15 at midnight. Haitians living both in the country and in the diaspora are eligible to participate. The Prime Minister’s Office will fund the prize, the ministry said on its site.

Officials have not yet detailed how entries will be evaluated. The ministry did not respond to requests for comment from The Haitian Times.

Cultural momentum around historic qualification for return to the global stage

The contest builds on a wave of cultural expression following Haiti’s qualification for the 2026 tournament, with musicians quickly releasing songs celebrating the milestone.

Among the most popular are “Alaso,” a collaboration between DJ Tonymix and J-Perry, and “Grenadye Alaso Nou Refèl Ankò” by legendary band Orchestre Tropicana d’Haïti. Both tracks, released in January, have gained traction among fans in Haiti and abroad.

While such songs have energized supporters, the government-backed contest marks the first large-scale initiative to channel that enthusiasm into a national campaign.

Haiti secured its place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Nov. 18 with a 2-0 victory over Nicaragua at Ergilio Hato Stadium in Curaçao — ending a 52-year absence from the world’s biggest soccer tournament.

The expanded 2026 World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, will feature more teams (48) than previous editions (32), offering nations like Haiti a rare opportunity to compete on the global stage.

Les Grenadiers have been drawn into Group C, where they will face Scotland on June 13, Brazil on June 19 and Morocco on June 24 — a challenging lineup that underscores the scale of the task ahead.

Still, the team’s qualification has sparked pride across Haiti and its diaspora, with cultural initiatives such as the singing contest aiming to unify supporters and boost morale ahead of the tournament.

As anticipation builds, the competition reflects how deeply soccer and music intersect in Haitian culture — turning a long-awaited sporting moment into a nationwide celebration.

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