#66 - PHOTOS: World Cup Brings the Country Together

World Cup 2026 under the slogan “Unlock the country” | Roody Roodboy celebrates the national team | Conflicts resume in Kenscoff and Cité-Soleil

Jean Elie FORTINE, Etienne COTE-PALUCK, and Jean-Paul SAINT FLEUR

Jul 11, 2026

∙ Paid

Photo: Jean Elie Fortiné / Dèyè Mòn Enfo

Across Haiti and throughout the diaspora, Haiti’s foutbòl [soccer] team was celebrated. Our contributors across the country photographed this historic moment, carried by a festive atmosphere. All this, and much more, in issue #66 of HAÏTI WEEKLY, by DÈYÈ MÒN ENFO.

Summary #66

World Cup 2026: “Unlock the country”

Haiti’s second appearance in the World Cup, following its first in 1974, provided a few hours of relief during its three matches against Morocco, Scotland and Brazil. Brazil is the favorite team of many Haitians when Haiti is not competing.

The moment also presented an opportunity to call for an end to the conflicts in Haiti. Crowds chanted the slogans “unlock the country” and “open the country”, which were also featured in the popular songs that accompanied the event. Listen to the mixtape below.

HAITI MIXTAPE SESSION #6 - MONDYAL 2026

Etienne COTE-PALUCK and Jean Elie FORTINE

Jun 25

If there were a World Cup for music, Haiti would unquestionably rank among the countries to beat. Here’s a selection of more than 30 songs, most of them in a carnival style, dedicated to the Haitian national team for the 2026 World Cup. And even though the team didn’t advance to the second round, this campaign will remain a historic moment, 52 years after the country’s first appearance in this international tournament. Grenadye Alaso! 🇭🇹

Listen now

Photos: Jean Elie Fortiné / Dèyè Mòn Enfo

In Pétion-Ville, supporters gathered in front of a giant screen at Place Boyer for all three matches. The atmosphere was unique.

The World Cup was celebrated across the Haitian capital region. Flags were raised everywhere, and many vendors took the opportunity to sell Haitian flags of all sizes and type.

Before and after the matches, the bandapye marching bands took to the streets, creating an almost carnival-like atmosphere throughout the city.

In Port-au-Prince too, fans gathered in the free areas for each match. All three ended in defeat despite admirable performances.

Despite the defeat at the end of the run, Haiti celebrated each of their two goals against Morocco like a tremendous victory during the final match.

The cathartic atmosphere of this international competition was also deeply felt in Cap-Hatian.

Cap-Haïtien. Photos: Ketlain Difficile / Dèyè Mòn Info

In celebration of their participation, three players from Haiti’s national team, Duckens Nazon, Martin Expérience and Josué Duverger, returned to Haiti this week. They attracted attention wherever they went, from Cap-Haïtien to Port-au-Prince and Les Cayes.

They were welcomed by thousands of people in each city, often to the sound of fanfares. In Cap-Haïtien, Duckens Nazon took the opportunity to play a few passes with young people in the streets.

Music Video of the Week

Fe yo wè nou - Roody Roodboy

Roody Roodboy uses a carnival rhythm to celebrate Haiti’s foutbòl [soccer] team in Fe yo wè nou [Show them who we are]. From the beginning, the famous singer reminds listeners that 52 years have passed since the national team last appeared in the World Cup.

He names many of the players on Haiti’s 2026 squad and imagines a match in which the ball moves from player to player until it reaches the goal. Midway through, a bandapye fanfare joins in, and he closes the song with the slogan “Debloke peyi a” [Unlock the country], which is notably echoed by schoolchildren in the music video.

Conflicts Resume in Kenscoff and Cité-Soleil

Tensions in Kenscoff on Thursday. Photo: Jean Elie Fortiné / Dèyè Mòn Enfo

Armed conflicts resumed this week in Kenscoff and Cité-Soleil. One conflict occured in the heights overlooking Port-au-Prince and the other occured at the lower edge of the city, by the sea.

In Kenscoff, armed criminal groups advanced, often under the cover of night, forcing some residents to flee into the woods. One of our contributors, who had previously taken refuge in the mountains after his neighborhood in lower Port-au-Prince fell under the control of criminal groups, fled their new home in the middle of the night with his spouse.

Nearly 6,000 residents have been forced to flee the conflicts in Kenscoff, according to the IOM. Photos: Jean Elie Fortiné / Dèyè Mòn Enfo

Last Thursday, we met with the magistrate of this commune. He appealed to the police and other authorities for help because armed groups are carrying out one of their most significant advances in the commune since the conflict began 19 months ago.

The Kenscoff magistrate accompanied by the five surviving children on Thursday. Photo: Jean Elie Fortiné / Dèyè Mòn Enfo

He also told us the story of five children whose parents were murdered on Tuesday. The children fled into the woods and walked for two days before reaching an area still under the control of the authorities.

In Cité-Soleil, the truce between the groups from Wharf Jérémie and Belekou groups proved short-lived. Since the beginning of the week, residents of the commune have once again been caught in the crossfire. Several health centers in the area have also had to slow down their operations.

DÈYÈ MÒN ENFO’s team

Photojournalists: Francillon Laguerre, Sonson Thelusma, Andoo Lafond, Milot Andris, Patrick Payin, Ketlain Difficile, Steeve Saint Fleur, Clarens Siffroy, Odelyn Joseph
Community manager: Steven Andris
Editorial board: Etienne Côté-Paluck, Jean Elie Fortiné, Jean-Paul Saint-Fleur
Interns: Wilky Andris, Donley Jean Simon
Special collaboration: Stéphanie Tourillon-Gingras, Mateo Fortin Lubin, Dickens Lundi
Media partners: Centre à la Une, J-COM, Nord-Est Info
Institutional partners: Kay Fanm, Mouka.ht

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