Haiti Fans' Guide to
FIFA World Cup in Philadelphia
Date
April 9, 2026
The eyes of Haiti and the global football community will soon be fixed on Philadelphia as Les Grenadiers take the pitch for the 2026 FIFA World Cup™ at Philadelphia Stadium.
With the Caribbean nation set to play football powerhouse Brazil on Friday, June 19 in Group C play, we invite Haitian fans to discover why the City of Brotherly Love is the perfect host for the beautiful game.
Lincoln Financial Field will be called Philadelphia Stadium for the FIFA World Cup games. ©Philadelphia Eagles
Cultural connections: Haiti & Philadelphia
Philadelphia is home to approximately 7,000 Haitian-born immigrants and thousands more residents with Haitian ancestry.
The community’s roots date back to the 1790s, when refugees from the Haitian Revolution arrived in Philadelphia and other East Coast cities. Two centuries later, during the political unrest of the 1990s, the city again became a sanctuary for Haitians, with many settling in the vibrant neighborhoods of North Philadelphia.
The fashion, food, music, and spirit of Philadelphia’s Caribbean community is on display each summer along the waterfront. Now in its 40th year, the 2026 Philadelphia Caribbean Festival will be held on August 16.
A taste of the Caribbean in Philadelphia
Looking for a taste of Haiti while in town? Several local restaurants feature authentic dishes such as pikliz (pickled cabbage), plantains, griot (fried pork), and joumou (pumpkin soup).
North Philly eateries serving up a taste of traditional Haitian cuisine include Fritay Lakay (6334 Rising Sun Ave.), Gou Restaurant (5734 Old 2nd St.), Joyeuse Bakery & Restaurant (5508 Rising Sun Ave.), and Mojophilly Haitian Restaurant (438 W Tabor Rd.).
FIFA World Cup 2026™ schedule in Philadelphia
Haiti—back in the World Cup for the first time since 1974—is looking to advance past the Group Stage for the first time in history. For the Les Grenadiers, the path to glory runs directly through the heart of Philadelphia.
Lincoln Financial Field—temporarily renamed Philadelphia Stadium for the duration of the tournament—will be the epicenter of the action with these highly-anticipated matches:
- Côte d’Ivoire vs. Ecuador | Group E | Sunday, June 14
- Brazil vs. Haiti | Group C | Friday, June 19
- France vs. Iraq | Group I | Monday, June 22
- Curaçao vs. Côte d’Ivoire | Group E | Thursday, June 25
- Croatia vs. Ghana | Group L | Saturday, June 27
- Match 89 | Round of 16 | Saturday, July 4
Philadelphia will celebrate throughout the tournament with the first-ever FIFA Fan Festival™ at Lemon Hill within the city’s vast Fairmount Park—the largest landscaped park system in the United States.
FIFA Fan Fest Rendering. ©Philadelphia Soccer 2026
This citywide celebration of soccer, a.k.a. football, will span the entire 39-day tournament, from June 11 to July 19.
According to organizers, “Fans will enjoy live match broadcasts, music, cultural performances, local food vendors, and interactive activities in a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere.”
We hope this guide helps you feel right at home in the City of Brotherly Love. Whether you are here for the matches or the atmosphere or all of the above, we wish you an unforgettable stay.
Go Haiti!
