Ricardo Adé, Haiti’s current co‑captain, sought out former 1974 squad members in South Florida before the national team’s final warm‑up in Miami. At a Liberty City café, he met veteran goalkeeper Wilner Piquant, now 74, and other legends like Ernst Jean‑Baptiste. The reunion highlighted a 52‑year gap in Haiti World‑Cup history.

Meeting Piquant, whose speech is limited by a stroke, sparked laughter and tears. Adé thanked the veterans for paving a path that now lets Haiti unite behind a flag that once felt distant. His message resonated with the diaspora, where political turmoil has long dimmed national pride for support and hope among families across the country.

After a 1‑2 loss to Peru, the squad embraced the moment, playing with the same fire that once lit the streets of Port‑au‑Prince. Adé urged teammates to maintain unity, confidence, and self‑lessness—values the veterans championed for decades. The city’s supporters, many of whom traveled from New York and Boston, cheered loudly for the Grenadiers in today.

With the World Cup kicking off Thursday, Haiti will face Scotland, Brazil, and Morocco in a single group. Fans in South Florida are organizing buses to Atlanta, where the final match will be held. The team’s return to the international stage promises economic buzz for local businesses and a renewed sense of national identity today.