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There is no doubt that Haiti is a football loving nation, but so far they have only one World Cup appearance to boast about, Germany 1974. Football is played in Haiti more than any other sports. This nation's passion for the sport often has the effect of a general strike on the nation during World Cup games.

The two most popular foreign teams in Haiti are Brazil and Argentina. It could be a coincidence but the two most popular national football clubs happens to have Blue and White Flag and uniforms, Violette A.C and Yellow and Blue Flag for Racing Club Haitien. So far all the foreigners playing or coaching in Haiti?s league ?Premiere Division? come from either Brazil or Argentina.

The Haitian national team has been making a comeback for its righteous place in international football. Haiti?s future in football depends on how much guidance and support our youths receive. Soccer is played at an early age in Haiti, young Haitians have the heart and talent for football. With time and the right programs, football could become a way out of the slums for them.

There are a few youth programs in Haiti and although they could use better funding, they are already a part of Haiti?s resurgence in international football. The top European leagues feature several players from the Caribbean, Dwight Yorke, Stern John and Deon Burton to name a few, and in the future Haitian players will earn their place in the top European leagues as well.

Schedule:

On February 23, 2003 Haiti will face Peru?s national team in a friendly. Their last encounter was in Gold Cup 2000 where Haiti surprised the Peruvian team by scoring first, but Peru managed to tie the game and advanced to the next round on goal differential advantage.

Beginning March 26, 2003 Haiti will open the Gold Cup Caribbean against Martinique. Haiti finished in 2nd place and Martinique finished in 3rd place in last year Gold Cup Caribbean (previously called Copa Caribe). Both countries reached the quarter finals of Gold Cup 2003, when most people thought they would go home after the first round.

Picture obtained from (www.wehaitians.com)