The Haiti National Soccer Team is training on the campus of Stockton University as it prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With gang violence making official matches impossible at home, the squad has relocated its base camp to New Jersey, where it can continue its preparations in relative safety.
A Shared Training Landscape
The university's facilities have become a hub for several international squads, including Saudi Arabia, Nigeria and Brazil, all looking to fine‑tune their tactics ahead of the tournament's group stage.
For Haiti, the stakes are especially high. The team is slated to meet Scotland, Brazil and Morocco in its opening group, a lineup that promises competitive matches and a chance to test the squad against seasoned opponents.
Beyond the on‑field work, the camp underscores the size of the Haitian diaspora in the Garden State. Roughly 70,000 Haitians call New Jersey home, the fourth‑largest concentration of the community in any U.S. state, providing a supportive backdrop for the players.
Among the roster is defender Markhus “Duke” Lacroix, a New Egypt native who previously played at the University of Pennsylvania and for the Ocean City Nor’easters. Lacroix’s journey reflects the transnational threads that bind the team to its new training environment.
Another notable figure is Keeto Thermocy, the youngest member of the squad. A Swiss native who currently plays for BSC Young Boys, Thermocy brings a global perspective to the Haitian side.
The training site also boasts a detail that caught the eye of observers: the grass on Stockton's stadium matches the surface of Philadelphia Stadium, offering a familiar feel for players accustomed to that texture.