Haiti’s government plans to construct two international-standard football stadiums, one in the north and one in the south, to allow the national team to host matches domestically. Minister of Sports Pythagore Dumas announced that funding for these facilities is included in the 2026-2027 national budget, as the country seeks to overcome years of exile caused by security concerns.
Budgeting for Two FIFA-Compliant Stadiums
Minister Dumas confirmed that the government has earmarked funds in the 2026-2027 budget to build two modern stadiums, according to local media. The project aims to provide the men’s and women’s national teams—known as the Grenadiers and Grenadières—with venues that meet FIFA requirements.
Dumas recently conducted a second site visit to the Parc Larco field in Les Cayes, a city in the country’s south, to evaluate its potential for a new facility. The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Civic Action stated that the initiative is part of a broader effort to allow Haiti to host home matches again. Experts from the Ministry are currently tasked with conducting feasibility studies to ensure the structures meet international standards. Third-party reports noted that beyond these two new builds, the government is also planning to rehabilitate existing grounds, including Park Levelt in Saint-Marc, Park Vincent in Les Gonaïves, and Park Saint-Victor in Cap-Haïtien.
Security Concerns and Recent Stadium Expulsions
Haiti has been unable to host international matches for years due to widespread violence from armed gangs. According to reports, the national team was forced to play its recent Concacaf Nations League group stage matches in Jamaica.
The urgency for new domestic infrastructure increased following a recent ban by the Dominican Republic. After thousands of Haitian fans filled the Estadio Olímpico Félix Sánchez in Santo Domingo to watch their team defeat the Dominican Republic 4-1, local authorities prohibited Haiti from playing future matches in the country. The Dominican Minister of Sports, Kelvin Cruz, deemed the behavior of some fans "unacceptable" after crowds attempted to force their way into the stadium. A esto se sumaron las reacciones generadas tras las declaraciones del delantero haitiano Wilson Isidor, autor de dos goles en el partido, quien afirmó después del encuentro: “La Española es Haiti.” This is Haiti."
The Current Crisis in Haiti
The plan to build new sports infrastructure arrives while the nation deals with significant instability. According to UN data, more than 5,700 people have been killed or injured in Haiti this year due to gang-related violence. The same groups are allegedly responsible for over 230 kidnappings and more than 1,000 cases of sexual violence against women and girls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can’t Haiti play its home games in the country currently?
The national team has been barred from playing at home for years due to the ongoing security crisis and the prevalence of armed gangs, which has made it impossible to guarantee the safety of players and spectators.
Where will the new stadiums be located?
The government intends to build one stadium in the north and one in the south of the country to ensure geographic coverage for the national teams.
When will the project be funded?
According to Pythagore Dumas, the necessary financial resources are already assigned within the 2026-2027 national budget.
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