Haiti and New Zealand were scheduled to meet in an international friendly on Tuesday, June 2, at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, as both teams continued preparations for the 2026 World Cup. The match, originally set for 8:00 PM Eastern Time, was delayed after severe weather moved into South Florida and made conditions unsafe for play.
Heavy rain, lightning, and strong winds swept through the area, preventing the teams from completing normal pre-match warm-ups and leaving the pitch waterlogged. Match officials judged the field unplayable and also cited the risk of lightning strikes as a safety concern for players, staff, and supporters. Stadium authorities and the refereeing team chose to delay kickoff until the storm passed and the surface could be assessed.
Both squads stayed in their locker rooms while weather updates were monitored. Organizers later confirmed that the friendly would go ahead once conditions improved, and the new kickoff time was set for 8:36 PM local time. The short delay allowed officials to prioritize safety without canceling the match.
The fixture carried added significance for both nations, which have limited World Cup histories. Haiti’s only appearance came in 1974, while New Zealand reached the tournament in 1982 and 2010. Between them, the two teams had made just three World Cup appearances before the 2026 edition, making the upcoming tournament a rare chance to create history.
Both sides are also chasing their first-ever World Cup victory. Haiti lost all three of its matches in its previous appearance, while New Zealand has yet to win in six World Cup games, having recorded three draws and three defeats across its two prior tournaments. That backdrop adds importance to every warm-up and friendly ahead of next year’s global competition.
The article notes that Haiti will enter the 2026 World Cup as an underdog in Group C, which includes Brazil, Morocco, and Scotland. New Zealand will also face a difficult path in Group G, where Belgium, Egypt, and Iran await. For either side, even one group-stage win would represent a major achievement and a landmark moment in national football history.
Before kickoff, both teams also announced their confirmed lineups. Haiti lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Johny Placide in goal and Wilson Isidor leading the attack under head coach Sebastien Migne. New Zealand also used a 4-2-3-1 setup, with Alez Paulsen in goal and Chris Wood spearheading the offense under Darren Bazeley.
Despite the weather disruption, the friendly remained an important step in both teams’ preparations, offering a chance to test combinations, build rhythm, and measure progress against international opposition ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
