Haiti fans ready communal watch parties for first World Cup in 52 years

Residents of Haiti’s capital have been cleaning streets and building makeshift seating areas as the Caribbean nation prepares for their first World Cup appearance in 52 years, offering a rare moment of celebration amid the country’s ongoing turmoil.

PORT-AU-PRINCE — Residents of Haiti’s capital have been cleaning streets and building makeshift seating areas as the Caribbean nation prepares for their first World Cup appearance in 52 years, offering a rare moment of celebration amid the country’s ongoing turmoil.

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Haiti face Scotland in Boston on Saturday in their opening Group C match, marking only the second men’s World Cup appearance for the team and their first since 1974.

In Port-au-Prince, where chronic electricity shortages and gang violence have disrupted daily life for years, residents have been preparing communal viewing areas so supporters can watch the match together.