Concacaf approves Haiti-US soccer match in Miami, Grenadiers fans overjoyed

MIAMI —  Fans of Les Grenadiers were celebrating Thursday after Concacaf approved a request allowing Haiti to host the United States in Miami’s NU Stadium for a Nations League quarterfinal match.

“I am so excited,” said Marie Colin, a registered nurse. “My coworkers and I can’t wait to get our tickets and go experience that first game here in Miami after the Grenadiers’ World Cup run.” 

“I hope Haitians take over the stadium for that first leg against the U.S.,” added Colin.

The game was originally scheduled for Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica. However,  Concacaf, the Caribbean, Central and North America’s regional soccer governing body, said it approved an exceptional hosting arrangement for the Haitian Football Federation (FHF) because of ongoing gang violence in Haiti. The approval allows Haiti to host its designated home match at NU Stadium, Inter Miami CF‘s 26,700-seat home venue, on Nov. 14 at 4:30 p.m. EST. 

Beyond the excitement of playing in South Florida’s Haitian-heavy area, the decision carries broader significance for a country whose security crisis has forced its teams to play ‘home’ matches in other countries. It also follows a recent dispute with the Dominican Republic, where authorities initially banned Haiti from using its facilities — only to clarify later that the team could still play there as a visitor. 

Concacaf’s exception now gives Haiti an option beyond the Caribbean. It allows the FHF to seek permission for home matches in Concacaf games in an opposing team’s territory, bypassing existing regulations.

The arrangement applies to Haitian national teams and clubs for as long as insecurity in Haiti persists. Each proposed venue requires separate approval from Concacaf’s administration, agreement from the opposing member association and confirmation that the stadium meets Concacaf’s requirements. 

Approval energizes supporters on social media

For Haitian fans, the Haiti versus U.S. game in Miami is indeed an opportunity to support the team in person and build on the momentum from Les Grenadiers’ historic World Cup qualification. Many welcomed the chance to attend and urged fellow Haitians to turn out in large numbers.

“Nan peyi nou MIAMI wi” — “Yes, right in our country, Miami” — wrote Facebook user Kromee Francely, celebrating the news with Haitian flag and soccer-ball emojis and agreeing with Junior Antoine, who said, “Miami is Haiti.”

“Victory is ours. Grenadiers alaso,” Wislande Widna Mervil wrote, echoing the rallying cry of Haiti’s national team.

Another fan, commenting as Lee Leeleo, declared, “We’re going to flood in with a large crowd.”

Others immediately began discussing travel plans and asking when and where tickets would be available. One supporter said they had already bought a plane ticket to Jamaica and would need to change plans immediately after the venue announcement. Another asked what measures the federation would put in place to prevent U.S. fans from buying up all the tickets.

“We could celebrate the battle against them [the U.S.],” Facebook user Ishnayder Auguste wrote, alluding to the anniversary of the Battle of Vertières. 

“My guys, you can do it. It’s football. If we can’t win, we shouldn’t lose either.”

Other Nations League quarterfinals

Haiti’s matchup with the U.S. is one of four quarterfinals in the 2026-2027 Concacaf Nations League. 

Each team will face each other twice in two ‘legs.’The two-game series will determine which team advances to the semifinals and clinches an automatic berth to the 2027 Gold Cup.

Curaçao will face Panama Nov. 12 in Willemstad, Curaçao, while Guatemala will host Canada on Nov. 13 in Guatemala City. 

On Nov. 14, Jamaica will face Mexico in Kingston after Haiti takes on the United States in Miami. The return legs are scheduled for Nov. 15-17.

For the second leg against the U.S., Haiti will travel to Cincinnati as the visiting team for a Nov. 17 showdown at TQL Stadium.