Mixed emotions ahead of Haiti vs. Brazil for dually aligned fans headed to the World Cup game

PHILADELPHIA, USA: Like many other Haitians, Peguy Joseph is a longtime superfan of Brazil, the world’s greatest soccer power.
In a few days, though – for the first time in his life – he won’t root for the Brazilians. He has a World Cup ticket to see them play, in a wildly improbable matchup, against the team from his beautiful but beleaguered homeland of Haiti.
“It’s a double joy,” said Joseph, who lives in Florida and will travel to Philadelphia to attend the game on June 19, for his birthday.

“I’ll be happy if Haiti win — but if Haiti lose, I won’t be sad, because it’s Brazil! It’s the fanaticism. When you love it, you love it.”
Across the US, many dually aligned Haitians are feeling a mix of emotions ahead of the upcoming game.

It’s part of the first round of the 2026 World Cup, the first to be hosted by three nations, including Canada and Mexico. It’s also the first World Cup held in the US since 1994.
Among those elated to have a ticket for the Haiti-Brazil game is Rafael Saldanha, a Brazilian who lives in New York City.
“I was happy actually, when I learned that Brazil’s going to play Haiti, because I know these are two very friendly nations to each other,” he said.
“Both are nations that have their own internal struggles.

But at the same time, these are two countries whose populations manage to be extremely happy ... regardless, or in spite, of the challenges posed on them every day.”
For all its problems, Haiti clings to love of soccer
Haiti — the Western Hemisphere’s poorest nation — qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1974 with inspiring tenacity, beating better-known rivals against the odds.