Haitian soccer fans who long supported Brazil during World Cup tournaments are switching their allegiance to Haiti’s national team, nicknamed the “Grenadiers,” after the team ends a World Cup drought. Multiple outlets describe how, for decades, Haitians have gathered around televisions and radios to follow Brazil in past World Cups. With Haiti now returning to the World Cup, supporters are redirecting their attention toward their own team rather than a long-standing external choice.
The reports focus on the cultural shift in fan behavior, portraying the change as a move from tradition to immediacy following Haiti’s qualification. The coverage frames the “Grenadiers” as the new focal point for fans during World Cup matches, implying a broader reorientation of national sporting support. While the outlets differ in details beyond the shared premise, they align on the same central development: Haiti’s qualification ends a prolonged absence from World Cup play, and supporters respond by transferring their World Cup support from Brazil to Haiti.
