When I was a child, the roar of the stadium was louder than the church bells that usually marked Sunday mornings in our Brooklyn home. My Haitian mother would set the table with a modest spread of rice and beans, then turn the television to the World Cup final, insisting that the game was a ritual as sacred as any prayer.
A Family Tradition Across Generations
That habit persisted for decades, weaving the tournament into the fabric of our family gatherings. Every four years we would gather around the set, the scent of griot drifting from the kitchen, while my uncle would chant the Haitian motto, “L’Union Fait La Force,” as a reminder that collective spirit could move mountains.
The 2026 World Cup holds a special promise for us. After a half‑century absence, Haiti’s national side, known as Les Grenadiers, has finally secured a spot in the tournament, a triumph that has sparked jubilation across the diaspora and at home. Yet the celebration is tempered by the reality that many of us cannot simply board a plane to Port‑Au‑Prince; a deepening humanitarian crisis and lingering travel bans keep the island out of reach for most of the diaspora.
The tournament also revives the memory of Pelé, the Black Brazilian icon whose brilliance on the field became a beacon for Black athletes worldwide. His legacy resonates with Haitian fans who see in his artistry a reflection of their own resilience and pride.
In New York, I will sit with my mother, my uncle, and a handful of friends, all of us wearing the red and blue of Haiti’s flag, waiting for the first whistle. The anticipation is palpable; it feels like a bridge that spans continents, linking the streets of Brooklyn to the hills of Port‑Au‑Prince, even when the latter remains a distant dream.
Beyond the matches, the World Cup serves as a unifying force that transcends age, language, and socioeconomic status. From teenagers in Long Island to retirees in Washington, D.C., the shared chants and colors create a temporary tapestry of belonging, reminding us that sport can be a powerful conduit for cultural expression and collective hope.