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Galloway, N.J. — Saudi Arabia. Trinidad and Tobago. Nigeria. The United States. Brazil.

Soccer teams from each of these countries have used ������Ƶ’s world-class athletics facilities over the years to train for major international competitions — many with incredible success.

Saudi Arabia made a historic run to the Round of 16 at the 1994 FIFA World Cup. Nigeria shocked the world by winning the gold medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics. Brazil’s CR Flamengo won its group in last summer’s FIFA Club World Cup.

Now, Haiti, a team that hasn’t played in its own country in about five years due to gang violence, will make ������Ƶ its temporary home for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The team arrived on campus on June 9 and had its first practice at G. Larry James Stadium in front of about 500 local fans, friends and youth soccer players as part of a community day.

“Our job here as the Team Base Camp is simply to provide a home away from home and create an environment for Haiti to flourish in America while competing in the World Cup,” said Jeff Haines, ������Ƶ’s Associate Director of Athletics and Recreation and the director of the Team Base Camp. “I want to congratulate Haiti on qualifying for its first World Cup in 52 years. We are proud to be a small part of this historic moment with all of you.”

Haiti will hold closed-to-the-public practices at ������Ƶ for about nine days in between its group games against Scotland on June 13 in Foxborough, Massachusetts, vs. Brazil on June 19 in Philadelphia and against Morocco on June 24 in Atlanta. The team is expected to hold its final practice on campus on June 22.

Haiti is the first Caribbean team to have qualified for the World Cup twice. Several locals of Haitian descent, draped in the country’s blue and red colors, waited patiently to greet Les Grenadiers with a roar after the team ran onto the stadium’s newly installed Kentucky bluegrass field. The grass, installed earlier this month by Tuckahoe Turf Farm in Hammonton, is the same surface as Philadelphia Stadium, where Haiti will play Brazil. The team spent nearly two hours running through drills and taking part in an intersquad scrimmage, eliciting some oohs and ahhs from the crowd during tough tackles and the occasional goal.

“I think it would be difficult for me to find an excuse with the quality of the field,” said Haiti coach Sebastien Migne with a chuckle. “Everything is perfect. We are happy for our players, and the welcome from the university was amazing for them.”

In addition to practicing in the stadium, Haiti will also have access to ������Ƶ’s Sports Center to hold meetings, get physical therapy and use its basketball courts and locker rooms.

Haitian defender Markhus “Duke” Lacroix grew up in New Egypt, Ocean County, about 50 miles north of ������Ƶ. He played soccer for the University of Pennsylvania and spent the summers of 2012 and 2013 playing for the Ocean City Nor’easters of USL League Two.

“On a personal note, I’m really happy to be back in New Jersey,” said the 32-year-old who has played professionally for the Colorado Springs Switchbacks of the USL Championship since 2023. “I want to thank ������Ƶ, President Joe Bertolino and all the people that made this possible and for welcoming us to your amazing facilities. I remember coming here to events as a young aspiring soccer player, so to be back here in front of all of you is special. It’s an incredible experience.”

Fellow center back Keeto Thermocy, 20, is the youngest member of the Haitian team and he was thrilled to be greeted by children from Atlantic United youth soccer teams and the Boys and Girls Club of Atlantic City.

“The atmosphere is great. We could really hear it while we were training,” said Thermocy, a Swiss native who plays for BSC Young Boys, a professional Swiss Super League team based in Bern, Switzerland. “It’s great to have the whole community out here for us. We are focused on playing football here and doing something nice at the World Cup. We are locked in.”

������Ƶ President Joe Bertolino said the university is honored to serve as Haiti’s Team Base Camp and said the recognition of being selected “means a great deal to us.”

“It affirms the strength of our athletic facilities, the beauty of our campus, and most importantly, the dedication of our people. We’ve worked with tremendous care to create an environment where world-class athletes can train, prepare and feel supported,” he said. “Tonight is a moment of pride for ������Ƶ, for South Jersey, and for all of us who believe in the power of sport to bring people together across cultures, communities and continents.”

Haines said that he never anticipated ������Ƶ would be so fortunate to host teams for both the FIFA Club World Cup last year and the World Cup this year, and he can’t be more excited.

“We’re on Team Haiti, and we wish all the players, coaches and staff the best of luck during this World Cup,” he said.

— Story by Mark Melhorn, photos by Susan Allen

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