Haiti soccer team receives $4M for World Cup qualification bonuses and team preparation

CAP-HAÏTIEN — Haiti’s government has allocated 528 million gourdes, or over $4 million, to the Haitian Football Federation (FHF), splitting the funds between a World Cup qualification bonus and preparations for the 2026 tournament.

Half of the funding — $2 million — will be awarded to the national team as a prize for qualifying for the World Cup. The remaining $2 million will support training and logistical preparations ahead of the global competition.

The Prime Minister’s Office financed the bonus, while the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Civic Actions (MJSAC) provided the preparation funds. Officials presented the two checks during a ceremony at Villa d’Accueil in Port-au-Prince on April 8.

“The country isn’t just giving its team a check,” FHF President Monique André said. “It is a message of trust, companionship— a message of hope and above all a symbol of a nation that knows its children and still believes in itself.”

Haiti secured its place in the World Cup for the first time in 52 years with a 2-0 win over Nicaragua on Nov. 18 at Ergilio Hato Stadium in Curaçao — a historic qualification that reignited national pride.

The 2026 World Cup will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. Haiti will face Scotland on June 13, Brazil on June 19 and Morocco on June 24.

Preparation is expected to begin between the end of May and early June, though the federation has not yet announced training locations or detailed plans.

Midfielder Woodensky Pierre, the only locally based player on the team roster for now, attended the ceremony and presented official team jerseys to Prime Minister Fils-Aimé and MJSAC Minister Dumas. Pierre made his national team debut on March 31 in a 1-1 draw against Iceland.

“It is our responsibility as leaders to keep hope alive and set an example for the country’s future,” Fils-Aimé said. “That is why we are supporting what remains one of Haiti’s greatest sources of pride — Haitian football.”

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