Haiti fans organize communal watch parties for first World Cup in 52 years as Kraken backs tournament

Haiti’s national soccer team, Les Grenadiers, is heading to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The last time Haiti played on soccer’s biggest stage was 1974, more than half a century ago.

From Brooklyn to Montreal, the diaspora shows up

Watch parties are being organized in Miami, Montreal, Brooklyn, and across South Florida. The Miami Haitian community has events planned for May 30-31, 2026, complete with player meet-and-greets featuring forward Duckens Nazon and defender Martin Experience.

Dave & Buster’s in Hollywood, Florida, will host watch parties for all three of Haiti’s Group C matches. The venue is also using the events to support local nonprofits.

In Brooklyn, HCX is serving as a hub for the celebration. Montreal’s Maison France is expecting over 500 attendees at affordable venues. The common thread across all these events is compas music, woven into every gathering.

Travel and ticket costs for the actual tournament games are steep enough that most fans will experience the World Cup through screens rather than stadium seats. That reality makes communal watch parties not just preferable but essential.

Crypto meets the beautiful game

Kraken was named the Official Crypto Exchange Supporter of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in early June 2026. Estimates suggest consumer participation in prediction markets around the tournament could reach up to $10B.

While Haiti’s community celebrations don’t have direct ties to crypto assets or protocols, the broader 2026 FIFA World Cup is becoming a significant moment for the digital asset industry. The 2022 World Cup in Qatar saw noticeable upticks in fan token trading volumes, and the 2026 tournament is hosted across the US, Mexico, and Canada.

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