Haiti lights up Florida blue and red in 4-0 rout of New Zealand ahead of World Cup 

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Haiti’s men’s national soccer team defeated New Zealand 4-0 Tuesday night before more than 16,000 fans who transformed Inter Miami CF’s Chase Stadium into a sea of blue and red, giving Les Grenadiers a rare home-like atmosphere ahead of the FIFA World Cup.

The victory gave Haiti momentum heading into next week’s game while providing players with a rare opportunity to perform before a crowd that felt like home.

For many players, Tuesday’s atmosphere was unlike anything they had experienced with the national team.

“The crowd was just amazing,” striker Wilson Isidor said after the match. “The noise when we scored, I’ve never experienced that in my life.” 

Because of Haiti’s worsening security crisis, the national team has not played at Stade Sylvio Cator in Port-au-Prince since June 2021, when it hosted Canada in a World Cup qualifier, which the hosts lost 1-0. Even then, the game was played behind closed doors amid a series of protests, known as “peyi lòk,” Haitian Creole for “locked country.” In fact, Les Grenadiers have not played in front of a home crowd since March 25, 2021, when they hosted the Belize national team. The match was also a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier played at Stade Sylvio Cator, with Haiti winning 2-0.

During the 2026 qualifying campaign, Haiti was forced to stage its “home” matches abroad, including in Willemstad, Curaçao, more than 500 miles away.

The game energized both players and supporters ahead of Haiti’s first World Cup appearance since 1974.

Several Haitian celebrities attended, including singers Kenny “Kenny Haiti” Sinvil, Carlo Vieux and Rutshelle Guillaume, comedian Daniel “Tonton Bicha” Fils-Aimé and actress/influencer Blondedy Ferdinand.

Many watched from field-level suites and celebrated each goal as if they were witnessing a home match in Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital.

“With everything that’s going on back home, to be here today, it’s like a win-win situation for us,” Ferdinand told reporters.

 “The flag. The people. It means the world to us to be here and for Haiti to be in the World Cup,” she added.

Florida is home to one of the nation’s largest Haitian American populations, with roughly 450,000 residents of Haitian origin, according to U.S. Census estimates.

Although Haiti secured its World Cup berth while playing home qualifying matches in Curaçao, more than 500 miles away, with diaspora support, players never experienced the atmosphere that greeted them Tuesday night.

“I was satisfied to finally see the players share their emotions with [a large] public,” coach Sébastien Migné said in the post-game conference.

“They deserved it.”

“We’re all doing this job to share emotions,” he added. “Tonight, the players were rewarded for how dedicated they have been since the beginning of the preparation.”

The bond between players and supporters was evident throughout the night. After scoring Haiti’s third goal, veteran striker Frantzdy Pierrot sprinted toward the stands, kissed the Haitian crest on his jersey and celebrated with fans.

Newcomers shine as Haiti puts on a show— despite some hiccups

Haiti moved the ball sharply and controlled the match from the opening whistle.

Ruben Providence opened the scoring in the 12th minute, and Lenny Joseph— one of the two latest players to join Les Grenadiers after earning their World Cup ticket— doubled the lead shortly after halftime. Pierrot added a third in the 62nd minute, and left back Duke Lacroix capped the rout with a goal 10 minutes from full time.

After the final whistle, players danced on the field and sprayed one another with water bottles as supporters remained in celebration mode.

Yet, fans endured a weather delay, heavy traffic before kickoff and pregame disorganization. Once inside, they sang the national anthem, waved flags and turned the stadium into a festival atmosphere as Haitian music echoed through the venue. Konpa music, Haitian roots and pop culture songs and horns echoed through the stadium as fans celebrated the team’s goals. When not stomping their feet or waving Haitian flags in excitement, they offered play-by-play commentary.

When Providence scored the opener, the stadium erupted. The noise intensified after Joseph’s goal and became deafening when Pierrot made it 3-0. By the time Lacroix scored the fourth, the crowd was in full celebration.

Still, many complained about tickets not scanning and others were unable to enter. Even a marketer for the Haitian Football Federation (FHF), former national team coach Wagneau Eloi, and journalists were among those unable to get in. 

Albert Molayem, who is with Sport Global Management (SGM), the company that organized the match, told The Haitian Times they’ve been working with the FHF for the past four years and they called them back to promote the friendlies. 

“It’s a beautiful environment,” he said as the crowd roared.

For Migné, the result was even more satisfying because his two newcomers made particularly strong impressions.

Joseph scored on his debut, while defensive midfielder Dominique Simon looked comfortable anchoring the midfield, helping dictate play and nearly scoring with a long-range effort late in the first half.

“It was a pleasure,” Simon, who plays for top-tier club Ferencvárosi TC in Hungary, said of playing before Haitian supporters. “I can’t even describe it. I’m very happy today because we won together. We’re a family. I hope we keep going. This is only the beginning.”

One concern for Haiti was its defending on set pieces, especially corner-kicks. Several times, New Zealand players found space inside the penalty area, forcing veteran goalkeeper Johny Placide to make difficult saves.

A tougher test awaits

The victory was encouraging, but Haiti will face far stronger opposition at the World Cup.

New Zealand entered the match ranked No. 85 in the FIFA rankings, just behind Haiti at No. 83.

In the group stage, however, Les Grenadiers will face five-time world champion Brazil, 2022 World Cup semifinalist Morocco and Scotland, ranked No. 43 in the world.

Before then, Haiti will play one final warmup match against Peru on Friday, June 5, at 7:30 EST at Inter Miami’s Nu Stadium.

Players hope to carry Tuesday’s momentum into that contest, while fans are expected to once again turn South Florida into a home venue for Les Grenadiers.

“Let’s focus on the next game in three days against Peru,” Providence said. “It’s a good team. I hope we continue to bring confidence and happiness to Haitians.”

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