Prior to embarking on its first FIFA World Cup appearance in more than a half century, the Haiti Men’s National Soccer Team will call the Treasure Coast its home for a couple of weeks.
Haiti will hold a training camp at the voco Sandpiper All-Inclusive Resort from May 24 to June 8 along the St. Lucie River in Port St. Lucie.
The facility features professional-standard soccer pitches as well other key accommodations as players and staff will gather in the lead up to the world’s biggest sport event.
“Les Grenadiers” will be hosted by the -formed Port St. Lucie Soccer Club of the United Soccer League.
“Having a national team preparing for the World Cup here reflects the level of environment we are building,” Diego Delledonne Port St. Lucie SC Chief Operating Officer said in a press release. “We are proud to support Haiti’s preparation and to contribute to this stage of their journey.”
Amid national strife and turmoil, Haiti secured its spot in the 2026 World Cup after winning Group C in the CONCACAF qualifiers.
It is the second time the country will compete for the event, previously qualifying in 1974.
Before the start of the World Cup, Inter Miami FC will host a pair of Haiti friendly matches. The Haitian National Team will face New Zealand on June 2 at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. Three days later, Haiti takes on Peru at NU Stadium in downtown Miami.
Haiti opens the FIFA World Cup against Scotland on June 13 from Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Patrick Bernadeau is a sports reporter for Treasure Coast Newspapers. He can be reached at 772-985-9692, on X at @PatBernadeau or via email at pbernadeau@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Haiti’s national soccer team to train in Port St. Lucie for World Cup
Reporting by Patrick Bernadeau, Treasure Coast Newspapers / Treasure Coast Newspapers
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
