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Haiti Thump New Zealand After Storm-Delayed Friendly in Fort Lauderdale

The match served as a final World Cup tune-up that energized a large Haitian diaspora crowd after officials delayed kickoff for severe storms and a waterlogged pitch.

Marko Stamenic and Tim Payne of New Zealand.
Image
Duckens Nazon of Haiti

Overview

  • A severe electrical storm and a waterlogged pitch forced officials to postpone the original kickoff and reschedule the match to 8:36 p.m. local time, after which play resumed at Chase Stadium.
  • Haiti defeated New Zealand 4-0 in the friendly, with Ruben Providence, Lenny Joseph, Frantzdy Pierrot, and Markhus Lacroix scoring to fuel a jubilant home-like atmosphere.
  • The fixture was the first-ever senior meeting between Haiti and New Zealand and doubled as a final dress rehearsal ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
  • FOX Deportes carried the game in the United States and the match was available to stream on Fubo, while several local outlets noted a large turnout from South Florida’s Haitian community.
  • The result gives Haiti a morale boost as it returns to the World Cup for the first time since 1974 and leaves New Zealand facing tactical questions before its remaining warm-up games.