The upcoming World Cup match between Haiti and Scotland in Foxborough is a significant event for the Haitian community in the Boston area. It marks the men’s team’s first World Cup appearance since 1974. The game is scheduled for June 13.
High Ticket Prices Hinder Attendance
Despite the excitement, many local Haitians are finding it difficult to secure tickets. Even prominent community figures have struggled to obtain them. Carl Richard, father of Olympic gymnast Frederick Richard, expressed his desire to attend the game. He is hoping for ticket prices to drop.
Richard noted that the cheapest tickets are around $600 on the resale market. He is waiting for prices to drop to $500 each. He needs two tickets and requires his wife’s approval for the $1,000 expense. Yionel Jean Torres of Mattapan Main Streets has almost given up due to the cost.
Moses Jean-Pierre of Hoops for Haiti attended the Patriots’ first Super Bowl win and Celtics games during their 2007 playoff run. Despite this, he has not purchased tickets for the Haiti match. He is more concerned about the Haitian children in his organisation missing the chance to attend. Jean-Pierre wants to find a way to get tickets for the kids in his program.
Immigration Concerns Addressed
Haiti’s entry into the World Cup comes as the United States has turned its back on many immigrants, and on many of the countries in the tournament.
Community Leaders Weigh In
At a recent flag-raising ceremony, Haitian leaders linked Haiti’s World Cup qualification to the contributions of Haitians to Boston. The moment resonates deeply among the roughly 80,000 Haitians in Massachusetts. Massachusetts has the third-largest Haitian population in the U.S.
One fan who already has tickets is Christ Lebrun. His girlfriend’s parents bought them for his birthday. He is ready to see Haiti against Scotland.
Some fear a scant turnout of Haitian fans at Gillette Stadium.