Haiti's National Team Forced to Flee Stadium as Notorious Gang Terrorizes Players with Machine Guns

HAITI qualified for their first World Cup finals in 52 years despite their national stadium and training centre being overrun by violent gangs.

The Caribbean nation has been troubled since being devastated by one of the worst earthquakes in history 16 years ago.

Haiti spectacularly qualified for the 2026 World Cup against the odds Credit: EPA A man stands guard at Stade Sylvio Cator Credit: AP

This natural disaster heavily contributed to mass poverty and civil unrest – with the country’s then-president in his Port-au-Prince home in July 2021.

That same year, ‘s national training centre, the Ranch of Croix-des-Bouquets, was abandoned after being taken over by armed thugs from the 400 Mawozo – the country’s largest gang.

The training centre had been an important site for budding players and received around £900,000 in funding in the early 2000s.

Earlier in 2021, the Belize national team had been held up by gang members with guns after arriving in for a World Cup qualifier.

The Ranch of Croix-des-Bouquets was an important hub for budding footballers to play Credit: AFP Haiti has been significantly troubled in recent years Credit: Reuters

They were eventually allowed to continue on to their hotel, which they subsequently only left for the match, a 2-0 defeat, and to depart the country – choosing to train on site due to safety fears.

Their captain Deon McCauley said at the time: “No human being wants to go through something like that with machine guns pointed at you,

“You only have one life to live, and to not know if you’re going to live after a scary moment like that? It’s shocking.”

Haiti played two more matches at their Stade Sylvio Cator national stadium that year, against Nicaragua and , before being forced to play “home” matches overseas.

Significant Port-au-Prince landmarks have been overrun by gangs Credit: AP

Several of their squad for this summer’s World Cup have never actually played a match in Haiti.

Defender Garven Metusala admitted last November: “I guess I feel like we’re all used to it now, not playing in front of our fans. I don’t think we can use it as an excuse anymore.”

In March 2024, the Haitian Football Federation confirmed that Stade Sylvio Cator, unused by the national team in nearly three years by this point, had also been overrun by gangs.

A shocking statement read: “The Haitian Football Federation (FHF) informs the football community, the press, and the general public that the Sylvio Cator Stadium and its surrounding area have been invaded and occupied by armed gangs for the past two days.

“Indeed, the cycle of violence that has plagued the country for some time has resulted in the desecration of this heritage site, even though the entire world recognises football as the national sport of Haiti.

“One of the FHF employees was kidnapped and his life was threatened. We do not yet know the extent of the damage. An assessment will be carried out as soon as possible with the support of a justice of the peace.

“The Haitian Football Federation vehemently condemns these acts of violence, which will undoubtedly have serious repercussions for Haitian football.

“Despite these challenges, the country is striving to recover, thanks to the valiant support of club leaders in organising a special competition aimed at promoting leisure and recreation for this stressed population and facilitating the representation of Haitian football in CONCACAF competitions.

Stade Sylvio Cator required significant repair work after the 2010 earthquake Credit: Alamy Haiti stars are looking to make their country proud this summer Credit: Alamy

“The FHF accepts no responsibility if any of its equipment and/or employee badges are used to commit illegal acts.”

For more than two years, both Haiti’s national training centre and symbolic home stadium have been occupied by gangs.

Earlier this year it was confirmed that the Ranch of Croix-des-Bouquets, taken over since 2021, had seen several of its buildings set on fire during clashes between gangs and cops.

Amid the ongoing civil unrest back home, Haiti stars are determined to make their nation proud as they enter World Cup Group C alongside , and five-time champions this summer.

Having performed brilliantly to qualify, Haiti laid down a marker by thrashing 4-0 in their latest World Cup warm-up match.

And they will look to continue to defy the odds when they get their campaign properly started.

Violence continues to play out in Haiti Credit: EPA Haiti fans flocked to their country’s pre-World Cup friendly against New Zealand in the US Credit: Getty Stade Sylvio Cator hosted Ronaldo’s Brazil in 2004 Credit: AP