Sawt Falasteen - Gang-wracked Haiti unites, goes wild over World Cup qualification

Haiti, the poorest nation in the Americas, will be making its first appearance on international football's biggest stage in more than 50 years, and only its second overall, after qualifying for the tournament on Tuesday night.

"We need a national holiday to celebrate it, with schools closed. We need pleasure and joy. Unlock the country and eradicate the gangs," an ecstatic fan in Port-au-Prince told AFP.

But even the gangs joined in on the celebrations that stretched into Wednesday in the capital and other cities such as Cap-Haitien and Miragoane.

Jimmy "Barbecue" Cherisier, the UN-sanctioned leader of a gang coalition known as Viv Ansanm (Living Together), was seen in videos posted to social media partying with residents in his neighborhood.

Just three days earlier, the gang boss had announced his intention to confront the police as he urged residents of Port-au-Prince to stay indoors.

In Haiti's main city, thousands of people celebrated in the streets to the rhythm of popular songs and chants performed by rara bands, the country's festive music.

Several fans paraded shirtless, waving national flags amid applause and fireworks.

"I shouldn't be out on the street at this hour, but since it's for Haiti, I'm doing it anyway," said supporter Widenie Bruno.

Because of security concerns stemming from the gang threat in Port-au-Prince, the national team had to play all of its qualifying home matches in the Caribbean island nation of Curacao.

It was there that Haiti, known as the Grenadiers, beat Nicaragua 2-0 to clinch their spot in the World Cup, which will be staged in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Haitian fans, however, may not be able to travel to the US to watch their team play because, in June, President Donald Trump's administration included Haiti among 12 countries whose citizens are banned from entering the United States.

- 'So proud' -

Haiti's qualification brings a moment of relief for a population strained and exhausted by the violence of organized gangs, which control 90 percent of the capital.

Those groups, accused of murders, rapes, looting, and kidnappings, have contributed to a severe humanitarian crisis in Haiti, a small nation long burdened by political instability.

The situation has worsened since early 2024, when gangs forced the then-prime minister Ariel Henry to resign.

But on Tuesday night, everyone in the nation seemed focused on what was happening in Curacao.

After the victory against Nicaragua, Haitian fans still had to wait for Costa Rica and Honduras to play to a scoreless draw before they could celebrate what had seemed impossible -- Haiti's first berth in the World Cup since 1974, when West Germany hosted the tournament.

Another young fan of the Grenadiers said he planned to party all night long -- whatever the cost.

"I am so proud of Haiti that I will spend everything tonight," he said. "I will wake up broke. We will spend the night in the streets."

O.Salim--SF-PST