The Soccer Dispatch

The Soccer Dispatch

🇭🇹 Absolutely everything was against Haiti making the 2026 World Cup, yet here they are

Les Grenadiers qualified despite gang violence and destitution back home!

Graham Ruthven's avatar
Graham Ruthven
Jun 11, 2026
∙ Paid

No team will arrive at the World Cup this summer with a more remarkable backstory than Haiti.

At their first World Cup since 1974, Les Grenadiers haven’t played a match in their homeland since 2021 due to the volatility within the Caribbean country. It’s simply not safe enough.

World Cup offer - $5 for a full year!

There is a humanitarian crisis. Destitution and poverty is widespread. Armed gangs control large parts of the country and its infrastructure. It’s miraculous that Haiti are even at the 2026 World Cup.

Haiti, however, won’t be at the tournament purely to make up numbers. In fact, there’s a growing sense they could be one of the surprise packages of the whole thing.

User's avatar

Continue reading this post for free, courtesy of Graham Ruthven.

Or purchase a paid subscription.
© 2026 The Soccer Dispatch · Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start your SubstackGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture