VIDEO SHOWS: UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL TEAMS PLAYING MATCH / SOUNDBITES FROM UNIVERSITY SOCCER PLAYERS, SOCCER FANS RESENDING WITH COMPLETE STORY SHOWS: PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI (DECEMBER 1, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all) 1. VARIOUS OF UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL TEAMS PLAYING MATCH 2. PLAYERS ON BENCH 3. PLAYERS DURING MATCH 4. (SOUNDBITE) (Creole) MATCH ATTENDEE, REGISTRE VERGINIO, SAYING: "And if the US embassy said that they will not give visas, that means it is very difficult for us, but we will do the same as all other nations, have a sit in front of our televisions and support the country in our way." PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI (NOVEMBER 29, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all) 5. PLAYERS AT START OF UNIVERSITY MATCH 6. SPECTATORS AT MATCH 7. VARIOUS OF PLAYERS DURING MATCH 8. (SOUNDBITE) (Creole) FOOTBALL FAN, WESLY JEAN PIERRE, SAYING: "Good, I hope for positive things for the country in the World Cup, so the draw is a good thing, it is. So we mobilize all the university, the university took out a note regarding that championship. It is a good thing (the World Cup because) since I was born I didn't see it, do you understand what I am saying? So it's a pride for me because there is a lot that I am living in this moment." 9. VARIOUS OF MATCH IN PROGRESS 10. SPECTATORS IN STANDS 11. (SOUNDBITE) (Creole) UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL PLAYER, LOUIS MARCUS, SAYING: "Good, before all I congratulate the national team, since 1974, then in 2026 (they) managed to qualify after all that we know, the country situation. It's good, I don't need to tell the details but I hope that Haiti does a good job in the World Cup, I hope that it goes far." 13. PLAYERS DURING MATCH PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI (DECEMBER 1, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all) 14. (SOUNDBITE) (Creole) MATCH ATTENDEE, REGISTRE VERGINIO, SAYING: "For the draw I would like Haiti to find a favorable stage, where it can find a way, in that stage I would like Haiti to face (a country) like Norway, I think Jordan and Argentina also." PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI (NOVEMBER 29, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all) 15. VARIOUS OF PLAYERS CELEBRATING WINNING THE MATCH STORY: University football players and fans in Port-au-Prince are eager to discover who Haiti will face in the World Cup after their qualification in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the nation's first qualification since 1974, as the country faces U.S. travel restrictions. Haiti will participate in Friday’s (December 5) 2026 World Cup draw, football’s biggest tournament that will produce a 104-match schedule across 16 host cities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Haiti's qualification was remarkable given that armed gangs have taken control of almost all of the capital, Port-au-Prince, in a conflict that has forced some 1.3 million people from their homes and fuelled famine-level hunger. The draw also comes against the backdrop of renewed political uncertainty in the U.S. following the return of Donald Trump to the White House, raising questions over security coordination, immigration protocols, and visa processing for teams, officials, and traveling supporters. As participants watched a university match earlier this week in Port-au-Prince, they discussed the upcoming World Cup participation, with some commenting on logistical challenges faced by Haitian supporters, including visa issues. "If the U.S. embassy said that they will not give visas, that means it is very difficult for us, but we will do the same as all other nations, have a sit in front of our televisions and support the country in our way," said Registre Verginio. The U.S. government has paused the processing of immigration applications filed by nationals of 19 countries, including Haiti, which has also been subject to travel restrictions since June. Still, fans expressed hopes for the national team's success, citing the importance of the event for national pride amid the difficult political and social scenario. "I hope that Haiti does a good job in the World Cup, I hope that it goes far," said university soccer player Louis Marcus. (Production: Yves Surin, Herbert Villarraga) (The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)
