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As the Grenadiers get ready to play their first World Cup match in over fifty years, many people in Port-au-Prince are complaining about the lack of electricity during the World Cup games.
Just hours away from the historic match between Haiti and Scotland at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Haitian fans’ excitement is running into a well-known reality: power outages.
Since the official kick-off of the tournament on June 11, 2026, many residents in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince say they’ve been without electricity during the main matches of the competition.
People in Delmas, Lalue, Christ-Roi, Delmas 83, Delmas 95, and other neighborhoods report that power cuts happen regularly before or during the matches, making it tricky to follow the world’s most-watched sporting event.
For many fans, this situation is especially frustrating as Haiti plays in its first World Cup since the 1974 edition.The collected testimonies talk about a population forced to multiply alternative solutions to follow the matches.
Households with financial means have invested in solar panels, storage batteries, or backup power systems to ensure minimal energy autonomy.
Others have chosen collective solutions.
In several neighborhoods, restaurants, shops, public spaces, and even private residences are turning into gathering spots where residents come together to watch the games on a shared screen.
This solidarity allows many supporters to experience the emotions of the World Cup together despite electricity supply difficulties.
As the Haiti vs. Scotland match approaches, the anticipation is huge.
The Grenadiers qualifying for the World Cup is a historic event for the whole country and sparks a strong sense of national pride.
For many citizens, being able to follow this event under good conditions goes beyond just sports.
In conversations, on social media, and in several neighborhoods of the capital, the same wish keeps coming up: that the electricity will be on when the Grenadiers take the field.
Criticism is mostly aimed at Electricité d’Haïti, with many people calling on them to ensure at least some stability in service during the national team’s matches.
Beyond football, this also highlights the ongoing struggles of Haiti’s energy sector.
Despite the challenges, the public excitement around the World Cup remains strong.Whether they follow the matches using solar panels, a generator, at a restaurant, or at friends’ places, Haitian fans seem determined not to miss this historic moment.
For many, the return of the Grenadiers on the world stage is a rare reason for national gathering in a context marked by economic and security challenges.
Tonight, while eyes will be on the field, another anticipation will accompany the sporting result: hoping the lights stay on long enough for an entire nation to fully experience this encounter with history.
