Prime Minister Andrew Holness is calling on Jamaicans to put Caribbean pride above football tradition as Haiti prepares for its historic return to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

With Jamaica failing to qualify for the tournament, the Prime Minister says the moment now belongs to the wider Caribbean family. Haiti’s qualification for the World Cup — its first appearance since 1974 — has already inspired excitement across the region and among Caribbean diaspora communities worldwide.

The Prime minister is also encouraging all Jamaicans to add the song “Haiti World Cup 2026′ by Ras Kaya to their summer playlist.

According to the Prime Minister, Jamaica should stand firmly behind Haiti throughout the tournament, especially during the Grenadiers’ blockbuster Group C clash against football giants Brazil on June 19 in Philadelphia. FIFA’s published schedule confirms that Haiti will face Scotland on June 13, Brazil on June 19, and Morocco on June 24.

The Prime Minister reportedly said he hopes Haitian flags will be “waving all over Jamaica” on the night Haiti faces Brazil. In a region that often talks about Caribbean unity, he argued, this is the perfect opportunity to demonstrate it.

“For too long,” he reportedly suggested, “Caribbean people have supported foreign powers while ignoring their own neighbors. This is our chance to show regional solidarity on the world stage.”

The appeal touches on a sensitive football reality in Jamaica and throughout the Caribbean. Because many Caribbean nations rarely qualify for the World Cup, fans traditionally adopt global powers like Brazil or Argentina during tournaments. Haiti’s qualification, however, has changed the conversation. Reuters noted that Haiti secured its first World Cup berth in more than five decades despite enormous political and social challenges at home.

The Brazil match is expected to be Haiti’s biggest test — and potentially its biggest moment. FIFA described the encounter as a “David and Goliath battle” between the five-time world champions and a nation appearing in only its second World Cup.

For many Jamaicans, supporting Brazil is almost cultural tradition. The yellow jerseys, samba football, and legendary stars have long attracted Caribbean admiration. But the Prime Minister insists this World Cup should be different. Cheering for Brazil over Haiti, he suggested, would amount to choosing a football superpower over “our Caribbean brothers.”

That sentiment appears to resonate beyond Jamaica. Social media discussions among Haitian supporters have shown intense excitement surrounding the Brazil match, with many fans already purchasing tickets and organizing supporter sections for the game in Philadelphia.

Haiti’s World Cup campaign will begin against Scotland in Boston before the highly anticipated showdown with Brazil. They will then close the group stage against Morocco in Atlanta.

Whether Haiti advances or not, Caribbean football supporters may soon face a defining question: when the world is watching, will regional loyalty finally outweigh global football glamour?