Today, the Fédération Haïtienne de Football (The Haitian Football Federation) shared a poignant new short film celebrating Haiti's first appearance in the World Cup finals in 52 years.
The film was directed by Leo Volcy, the Haitian-American creative director known for his work with Michael B. Jordan, and executive produced by Haitian, Grammy award-winning producer and DJ Michael Brun, alongside U.S. soccer legend Jozy Altidore. It is set to "Gaya," Brun's 2017 collaboration with Haitian roots band Lakou Mizik and Haitian pop star J. Perry. The film lands ahead of the team's opening match against Scotland this Saturday, June 13.
Still image from Grenadye Alaso 1974-2026
The track "Gaya," meaning "healing" in Haitian Creole, was written as an anthem of unity, and fuses traditional Haitian Rasin with Brun’s modern production. Brun, who organizes the BAYO music festivals which bring Haitian music to global stages, is considered one of Haiti's most prominent musical figures. He has supported Haiti's World Cup team closely throughout its qualifying run, and now is helping to tell the story of their long road to the finals.
Still image from Grenadye Alaso 1974-2026
Haiti qualified for the 2026 tournament last November with a 2-0 win over Nicaragua, marking its first World Cup appearance since 1974. It was a remarkable feat, given the fact that the team couldn’t play a single home game after gang violence consumed much of Port-au-Prince. Saturday's match in Boston, followed by group-stage games in Philadelphia and Atlanta, puts the team in front of Haitian diaspora communities that have long shared their support from afar. Now the team is playing on the world's biggest stage, with the support of creatives like Brun and Volcy to help tell their story.
Still image from Grenadye Alaso 1974-2026
BAYO, Brun’s global event series celebrating Haitian, Afro-Caribbean, and diasporic culture returns this month with events starting at Agganis Arena in Boston on June 12, 2026, followed by three nights at Brooklyn Paramount in New York City on June 25, 26, and 27, 2026. Tickets and additional event information can be found here.
