As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, excitement builds for Haiti's first appearance in the tournament since 1974. However, concerns about immigration enforcement in the United States are casting a shadow over the event for many in the Haitian community. Emile, a Haitian resident of Ohio, expressed his apprehension about attending matches due to the ongoing immigration crackdown under President Donald Trump.

Haiti's Historic Matches

Haiti is set to begin its World Cup campaign against Scotland on June 14 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The team's group-stage matches will also include games against Brazil in Philadelphia and Morocco in Atlanta. With approximately 87,000 Haitians residing in Massachusetts, the state boasts one of the largest Haitian populations in the U.S., making the tournament a significant occasion for the diaspora.

“Singing my country’s national anthem in a stadium in front of the whole world is a historic moment that no one would want to miss,” Emile, a truck driver in his 40s, told AFP. However, he added, “I think twice. I don’t want to be arrested by ICE,” referring to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency responsible for apprehending undocumented individuals.

Community Concerns

Emile's fears resonate with many in the immigrant community, who have witnessed aggressive ICE operations in various U.S. cities. The situation escalated recently when ICE officers fatally shot two American demonstrators in Minneapolis, prompting widespread outrage. Monica Sarmiento from the Virginia Coalition for Immigrant Rights noted that the community is increasingly aware of their surroundings and feels unsafe. “They are afraid. We have seen very aggressive tactics [from ICE] that have gone after not only undocumented communities but also people with protective status,” she stated.

Sarmiento further highlighted the troubling statistics, noting that “seventy percent of the people arrested, detained and deported have no criminal record.” Many individuals affected have lived in the U.S. for decades, contributing to society by paying taxes. She condemned the “fearful and hostile environment” that persists not only during the World Cup but on a daily basis.

With 78 of the 104 World Cup matches scheduled to take place in the U.S., the looming presence of ICE remains a significant concern for many attendees. As the tournament draws near, the intersection of sports and immigration policy continues to evoke anxiety among minority communities.