With lack of electricity, Brazilian missionaries will help Haitians watch World Cup matches

SÃO PAULO, Brazil – As Haiti prepares to play in the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1974, Brazilian missionaries in the Caribbean nation are planning to help local residents watch the matches – something that can be difficult for most Haitians, given that many have no access to electricity.

For both Brazilians and Haitians, soccer is not only a sport but also a major cultural force that fosters a sense of community and national identity. In Haiti, soccer is an omnipresent pastime for children, and many boys and girls dream of one day representing their national team – just as they do in Brazil.

While many Haitians are excited about the upcoming tournament, which begins on June 11, the catastrophic wave of violence and the lack of basic infrastructure throughout the country will certainly undermine the festive atmosphere that a World Cup typically brings to nations across the Caribbean and Latin America.

In May, a new surge in crime forced 300,000 people to flee their homes in Port-au-Prince. Clashes between rival armed groups intensified violence across several neighborhoods, causing numerous deaths.

Since the beginning of 2026, at least 2,310 people have been killed, 1,106 injured, 99