Haiti’s historic qualification for the 2026 World Cup appears not to be welcomed by the White House.
President Donald Trump and his administration say they plan to use “every available tool” to limit the arrival of Haitian supporters in the United States next summer, as the tournament will be co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
Yet Haiti has just achieved a remarkable sporting milestone: for the first time since 1974, the men’s national team will compete in the FIFA World Cup. But that achievement may be overshadowed by the absence of Haitian fans in U.S. stadiums.
A visa policy that blocks supporters
According to information confirmed to Politico by the U.S. State Department, the Trump administration does not plan to grant any special exemptions to Haitian supporters. Haiti is among 19 countries targeted by a presidential proclamation issued in June, which severely restricts entry into the United States citing national security concerns, visa-overstay risks, and screening limitations.
The proclamation does include exceptions for the World Cup to proceed normally: players, coaching staff, close family members, referees, and essential personnel qualify for special entry procedures. Supporters do not.
A State Department spokesperson told Politico that Haitian fans may technically apply for a visa, but they “will likely be found ineligible either for visa issuance or admission at the border.” A national-interest waiver mechanism exists in theory, but Washington warns it will be used “very rarely.”
As a result, many Haitian supporters may have to travel instead to World Cup matches in Canada or Mexico, where visa policies are less restrictive for Haitian citizens.
A decision at odds with World Cup tradition
Host nations traditionally ease visa procedures during the World Cup to facilitate international travel for fans. FIFA President Gianni Infantino himself had declared that “fans from all over the world will be welcome.”
Washington’s position appears to contradict this promise of openness. Haiti is not the only country affected: Iran, also subject to U.S. entry restrictions, has qualified for 2026 and faces the same obstacles for its supporters.
A sporting triumph amid national crisis
Haiti’s qualification comes at a time of severe political, security, and humanitarian turmoil. With escalating gang violence, the national team has even been forced to play its “home” matches abroad.
For many Haitians, the Grenadiers’ qualification is one of the few sources of national pride and unity. The prospect of a World Cup without a strong Haitian presence in U.S. stadiums feels like a double blow — both sporting and symbolic. For the Haitian diaspora, especially large in the United States, the dream of cheering for the national team “at home” now feels out of reach.
Diplomatic silence and growing pressure
Contacted by Politico, the Haitian Embassy in Washington declined to comment. FIFA has stayed silent as well, even as the organization continues to promote the World Cup’s inclusive and global spirit.
Observers expect rising diplomatic pressure as the tournament approaches and visa denials begin to surface publicly. International media outlets — from Africa, Europe, and the Caribbean — have already noted the contradiction between expanding the tournament to 48 teams and closing U.S. stadium doors to certain fan bases.
A test for the United States as World Cup host
For the Trump administration, this policy fits within a broader strategy of restrictive immigration measures, echoing the “travel bans” of the first term. But globally, the issue extends beyond immigration debates: it touches the United States’ image as a co-host of an event meant to bring the world together.
With the World Cup group-stage draw set for early December in Washington, Haitian supporters are watching developments with a mix of concern and hope — hoping that through negotiations between FIFA, U.S. authorities, and affected nations, the World Cup remains accessible to the fans who give the tournament its heartbeat.
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