Haiti fans descend in Atlanta, with some scrambling for last-minute tickets

ATLANTA — Hours before Haiti takes on Morocco in what will be Les Grenadiers’ last match in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, many fans were still searching for tickets wherever they thought they might find the precious commodity. As the clock winds down, several were still striving to be among the 75,000 people in attendance for the highly anticipated group-stage matchup on the final day of Group C.

Some, like Valerie Noel and Marie Darline Dorisca,  spent half a day on Tuesday searching —  to no avail.

“We have been going everywhere possible, including FIFA-authorized vendors, but everyone says they have none, Noel, an Atlanta resident, told The Haitian Times. 

She and her friend Dorisca, accompanied by their three children, even went to the General Consulate of Haiti in town for assistance. All they could get there were flags.

“They gave us flags, but we have no tickets to go to the game and support the team,” Dorisca said. 

“Watching the team play live in our town is a lifetime opportunity,” she explained. “We don’t want to miss it. We want to show all our support to the players because they make us proud as Haitians.”

While Noel and Dorisca scanned the streets for tickets, others were mapping their way to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United FC–where Grenadier Fafa Picault plays, in the city’s Downtown area. They wanted to get to their seats quickly ahead of the game’s kick-off time.

“Heavy traffic will pick up fast, and I don’t want to miss a second out of the opportunity to enjoy the moment and everything that comes with it,” said Ricardo Nicolas from Delray Beach, Fla.

Nicolas and his five friends traveled by car, driving for about 12 hours from South Florida. 

“We could not miss the opportunity to be here and show the players that we are with them regardless of results,” Shevenson Desravines, one of the Floridians, said. “We are going to witness history in Atlanta with Haiti’s first victory in a World Cup.”

Miami resident, Lesly Jean, agreed. 

“I am confident the team will not go out without a win,” Jean, a youth soccer coach, was convinced. 

Moroccans David Raja and Litvia Hadi, two ticket holders also checking out the stadium beforehand, shared the prediction. 

“I believe Haiti will win,” Hadi told The Haitian Times.

“The team is solid and has been playing well,” Hadi said. “I am very surprised they have not picked up any points yet.” 

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