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Half a century after Haiti's first World Cup appearance, Les Grenadiers are back on fútbol's biggest stage after overcoming challenges back home and abroad.

Why it matters: Massachusetts is home to an estimated 77,000 Haitians, per recent census data, making it the second-largest Haitian community in the United States.

Their first match, which comes Saturday against Scotland at Boston Stadium, offers a moment of excitement amid the violence and displacement afflicting the Caribbean nation.

What they're saying: "What's really beautiful about soccer and about these moments is about what it means to celebrate who you," Boston City Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune said at an Everyone250 event last week.

Louijeune, who is Haitian American, says she has conducted multiple interviews with Scottish media, welcoming them — and telling them they're going down on Saturday

Friction point: The violence in Haiti, which prevented the team from playing any qualifying matches in the country, isn't the only challenge impacting Les Grenadiers and their fans.

Supporters living in Haiti are prohibited from traveling to the U.S. under a travel ban imposed by President Trump.

Meanwhile, FIFA this week forced Haiti to remake its jerseys after saying a design depicting the Haitian War of Independence was too political.

The bottom line: Fans who aren't attending Saturday's match at Boston Stadium will likely turn out for the watch parties planned in Boston and other Massachusetts cities.

World Cup offers Haitians in Boston hope amid crisis at home

Haitians across Massachusetts plan to watch Haiti play Scotland on Saturday.

Illustration of an admission ticket featuring the Haitian flag.

Half a century after Haiti&#x27;s first <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/06/11/world-cup-miami-global-influence" data-vars-content-id="fea23ebe-d698-40da-bedb-399f387e0426" data-vars-headline="World Cup offers Haitians in Boston hope amid crisis at home" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/06/11/world-cup-miami-global-influence" target="_self">World Cup</a> appearance, Les Grenadiers are back on fútbol&#x27;s biggest stage after overcoming challenges back home and abroad.Why it matters: Massachusetts is home to an estimated <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="77,000 Haitians" data-vars-click-url="https://www.neilsberg.com/insights/lists/haitian-population-in-massachusetts-by-city/" data-vars-content-id="fea23ebe-d698-40da-bedb-399f387e0426" data-vars-headline="World Cup offers Haitians in Boston hope amid crisis at home" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.neilsberg.com/insights/lists/haitian-population-in-massachusetts-by-city/" target="_blank">77,000 Haitians</a>, per recent census data, making it the second-largest Haitian community in the United States.<ul><li>Their first match, which comes Saturday against Scotland at Boston Stadium, offers a moment of excitement amid the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="violence and displacement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.iom.int/news/haitis-displacement-crisis-hits-record-15-million-amid-escalating-violence" data-vars-content-id="fea23ebe-d698-40da-bedb-399f387e0426" data-vars-headline="World Cup offers Haitians in Boston hope amid crisis at home" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.iom.int/news/haitis-displacement-crisis-hits-record-15-million-amid-escalating-violence" target="_blank">violence and displacement</a> afflicting the Caribbean nation.</li></ul>

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Featured stories

South Florida Uruguayans gear up for World Cup with watch parties and rallies

World Cup art pops up around Miami. Where to find them

World Cup offers Haitians in Boston hope amid crisis at home

World Cup offers Haitians in Miami hope amid crisis at home

We got a sneak peek inside Miami's World Cup fan festival at Bayfront Park