More than 22,000 metro Atlantans trace their roots to Haiti, Morocco, South Africa, Cabo Verde and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, turning the World Cup into a celebration of culture, heritage and national pride.
(Illustration: Justin Tran for the AJC)
For former Haitian Olympian Naomy Grand’Pierre, her country’s return to soccer’s biggest stage is about much more than goals and standings. It is a chance for Haiti to tell a different story.
“Qualifying for the World Cup, despite the real hardships we are facing as a nation, is an absolute testament to our resilience as a people,” said Grand’Pierre, who in 2016 became the first woman from Haiti to compete as a swimmer in the Olympics. “It brings Haitians tremendous pride and joy to be represented on the world stage so authentically.”
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The Atlanta World Cup Stadium, also known as Mercedes-Benz Stadium is prepped and ready for the World Cup on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. Atlanta Stadium’s first World Cup match is on Monday, June 15, 2026. (Jason Getz/AJC)
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South African anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela lays a wreath at the crypt of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Atlanta on June 27, 1990. (Renee Hannans/AJC)
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Democratic Republic of the Congo
Wedding guests cheer at a wedding ceremony amid an Ebola outbreak in Ituri Province in Bunia, Congo on Saturday, June 6, 2026. 2026. (Moses Sawasawa/AP)
:noitalupoP orteM atnaltA 830,3
ot wonk tahW
- Africa’s second-largest country by land area, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is home to more than 116 million people. It contains one of the world’s largest rainforests and the massive Congo River Basin and is rich in cobalt, copper and other minerals critical to modern technology.
ll’uoy raeh segaugnaL
- French
- Lingala
- Swahili
- Kikongo
- Tshiluba
ytitnedi reccoS
- The Democratic Republic of Congo’s appearance ends a 52-year drought after its last appearance in 1974. The team plays Uzbekistan on June 27 at 7:30 p.m.
erutluc dna cisuM
- Birthplace of Congolese rumba one of Africa’s most influential musical genres.
uoy dluohs ?wonk ytic tahW
- Kinshasa, the capital and largest city, is home to about 17 million people and sits along the Congo River across from Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo.
DR Congo’s players celebrate at the end of the World Cup playoff final soccer match between DR Congo and Jamaica in Guadalajara, Mexico, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (Eduardo Verdugo/AP)
elpoep suomaF
- Patrice Lumumba: first democratically elected prime minister of the newly independent Democratic Republic of the Congo. After being removed from power and assassinated in 1961, he became a symbol of African independence, Black liberation and resistance to colonialism.
- Denis Mukwege: gynecologist and 2018 Nobel Peace Prize laureate recognized for his work treating survivors of sexual violence
tnemom gninifeD
- While the assassination of Patrice Lumumba remains one of the most consequential events in the nation’s history, Congo also captured the world’s attention in 1974 when, as Zaire, it hosted the “Rumble in the Jungle.” The legendary heavyweight championship bout between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, held Oct. 30, 1974, in Kinshasa, became one of the most celebrated sporting events of the 20th century.
dluohs wonk dooF snatnaltA
- Moambe chicken: chicken simmered in palm nut sauce, often considered a national dish
- Fufu: starchy dough made from cassava or plantains
- Makayabu: salted fish commonly served with vegetables and starches
noitcennoC atnaltA
- Born in Kinshasa, the late Basketball Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo was a beloved member of the Atlanta Hawks from 1996 to 2001. The eight-time NBA All-Star later made the city his home and became known for his humanitarian work in both Atlanta and his native Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Cape Verde
A man swims in the sea with his horse in Praia, Cape Verde, Thursday, May 7, 2026. (Misper Apawu/AP)
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ot wonk tahW
- Cape Verde, also known as Cabo Verde, is an archipelago of 10 volcanic islands off the coast of West Africa with a population of about 530,000, or roughly the same size as the city of Atlanta.
ll’uoy raeh segaugnaL
- Portuguese (official language)
- Creole
ytitnedi reccoS
- Nicknamed the Blue Sharks (Tubarões Azuis), the nation will make its first FIFA World Cup appearance against Spain on June 15 in Atlanta’s opening World Cup match.
erutluc dna cisuM
- Morna: Slow-tempo music performed with a variety of guitars and violin, featuring lyrics that yearn for home.
- Coladeira: Up-tempo, rhythmic dance music featuring violins, guitars, mandolins and upbeat lyrics.
- Funaná: A faster, more rhythmic version of coladeira featuring keyboards, drums and lyrics about hardships and social issues.
Fans celebrate in the stands after Cape Verde defeated Eswatini in a World Cup qualifying soccer match at Estádio Nacional in Praia, Cape Verde, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, to clinch their qualification for the 2026 World Cup. (Cristiano Barbosa/AP)
uoy dluohs ?wonk ytic tahW
- Praia, the capital and largest city known for its classic architecture, is on Santiago Island and serves as the country’s political and economic center.
elpoep suomaF
- Walter Tavares: Professional basketball player and former Atlanta Hawk
- Anika Noni Rose: Tony Award-winning actress and singer (while Rose was born in the U.S., her father is from Cape Verde)
tnemom gninifeD
- Cape Verde gained independence from Portugal on July 5, 1975, ending more than 500 years of Portuguese colonial rule.
dluohs wonk dooF snatnaltA
- Cachupa: A hearty stew made with maize, beans, vegetables, seafood or meat and considered the national dish
noitcennoc atnaltA
- Cape Verdeans of Atlanta, a local organization that promotes and preserves Afro-Portuguese culture, was formed in 1993, three years prior to the country making its Olympic debut in Atlanta in 1996.
South Africa
A man uses a wheelbarrow to transport vegetables and fruit at a market in downtown Durban, South Africa on Tuesday, May 28, 2024. (Emilio Morenatti/AP)
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ot wonk tahW
- Home to more than 63 million people, South Africa has Africa’s most industrialized economy and is the world’s leading producer of platinum. The country has three capitals: Pretoria (executive), Cape Town (legislative) and Bloemfontein (judicial).
ll’uoY segaugnaL raeH
- isiZulu
- isiXhosa
- Afrikaans
- English
- Sepedi
ytitnedi reccoS
- Known as Bafana Bafana, or “The Boys” in Zulu, South Africa opens World Cup play against Czechia on June 18 at noon.
erutluc dna cisuM
- Amapiano, a genre that blends deep house, jazz and lounge music and is known for its signature piano melodies.
uoy dluohs ?wonk yek seitic tahW
- Cape Town, known as the “Mother City,” is one of South Africa’s most popular destinations and home to Table Mountain
- Johannesburg, founded after the discovery of gold in 1886, remains the country’s economic center
Former South African President Nelson Mandela lifts the World Cup trophy in Zurich, Switzerland, after FIFA’s executive committee announced that South Africa would host the 2010 FIFA World Cup soccer tournament. Mandela was pivotal in helping the country win the right to host the tournament. (Michael Probst/AP 2004)
elpoep suomaF
- Nelson Mandela: Anti-apartheid leader and South Africa’s first Black president
- Tyla: Grammy-winning singer known for blending pop and amapiano into what she calls “popiano”
- Trevor Noah: Comedian, author and former host of “The Daily Show”
tnemom gninifeD
- Nelson Mandela’s election as president on May 10, 1994, marked the end of apartheid and the beginning of majority rule in South Africa.
dluohs wonk dooF snatnaltA
- Biltong: air-dried, cured meat similar to beef jerky
- Bobotie: spiced minced meat, typically beef or lamb, baked with a savory egg custard topping
- Potjiekos: slow-cooked stew made with meat, vegetables and starches in a cast-iron pot
noitcennoc atnaltA
- Following his release from prison, Nelson Mandela visited Atlanta in June 1990 during his eight-city U.S. tour. Earlier this month, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens unveiled a statue of Mandela at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Morocco
People walk past a projection on the walls of the old city of Fes as Lebanese artist Ghada Shbeir performs a concert, in Morocco, Friday, June 5, 2026. (Mosa’ab Elshamy/AP)
:noitalupoP orteM atnaltA 373,1
ot wonk tahW
- Officially the Kingdom of Morocco, the North African nation is one of three remaining monarchies in Africa, alongside Lesotho and Eswatini (formerly Swaziland). It is also the continent’s most visited country, with roughly two-thirds of its residents speaking Arabic. It’s home to 38 million people.
ll’uoy raeh segaugnaL
- Arabic (Darija)
- Tamazight (Berber)
- French
- Spanish
ytitnedi reccoS
- Known as the Atlas Lions, Morocco is ranked No. 7 in FIFA world rankings. In 2022, Morocco became the first African or Arab nation to make it to a World Cup semifinal. The team faces Haiti on June 24 at 6 p.m.
Morocco’s players celebrate after their team defeated United States at the end of a FIFA U-20 World Cup quater-final soccer match at El Teniente Stadium in Rancagua, Chile, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025. (Esteban Felix/AP)
erutluc dna cisuM
- Gnawa: spiritual music rooted in West African traditions
- Amazigh/Berber music: traditional music that varies by region and community throughout Morocco
uoy dluohs ?wonk seitic tahW
- Marrakech, known for its bustling markets and historic medina, is one of Morocco’s most visited destinations.
- Casablanca, the country’s largest city and economic capital, gained international fame as the setting of the classic 1942 film “Casablanca.”
elpoep suomaF
- Achraf Hakimi: arguably the world’s best defender in football and captain of Morocco’s national team
- French Montana: Moroccan-American rapper from New York with a slew of global hits
- Gad Elmaleh: Casablanca-born comedian known to folks stateside for his brilliant English-language Netflix special, “Gad Elmaleh: American Dream”
tnemom gninifeD
- Morocco’s independence from France in 1956 ended more than four decades of colonial rule and established the modern Moroccan state.
dluohs wonk dooF snatnaltA
- Couscous: steamed semolina grains often served with vegetables and meat
- Tagine: slow-cooked stew named for the cone-shaped clay pot in which it is prepared
- Mint tea: sweet green tea that is a staple of Moroccan hospitality
noitcennoc atnaltA
- Last year, Delta announced the first nonstop flight between Atlanta and Marrakech, creating the first direct air connection between Morocco and the U.S. Southeast.
Haiti
Children play soccer with a plastic ball in the Pétion-Ville neighborhood of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. (Odelyn Joseph/AP)
:noitalupoP orteM atnaltA 006,31
ot wonk tahW
- Known for its rich cultural traditions, Haiti, with a population of 12 million people, blends African, French and Caribbean influences through its music, art, cuisine and language. The country’s cultural impact extends throughout the Caribbean and the global Black diaspora. Today, Haiti continues to grapple with political instability, gang violence and economic challenges that have displaced thousands of residents and strained daily life.
ll’uoy raeh segaugnaL
- Haitian Creole (Kreyòl)
- French
ytitnedi reccoS
- Haiti returns to the World Cup for the first time since 1974. The team plays Morocco on June 24 at 6 p.m.
erutluc dna cisuM
- Kanaval: Afro-Caribbean-French festival music associated with Carnival celebrations
- Rabòday: upbeat dance music driven by drums, horns and electronic beats
- Kompa: Haiti’s signature dance music performed by partnered dancers
Haiti fans support their team during the second half of an international friendly soccer match against Peru, Friday, June 5, 2026, in Miami. (Rebecca Blackwell/AP)
uoy dluohs ?wonk tahW ytiC
- Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital and largest city, serves as the nation’s political, economic and cultural center.
elpoep suomaF
- Toussaint L’Ouverture: revolutionary leader of the Haitian Revolution
- Wyclef Jean: Grammy-winning rapper, musician and producer
- Garcelle Beauvais: actress, author and television personality
tnemom gninifeD
- The Haitian Revolution began in 1791 when enslaved Africans rose up against French colonial rule. Led by figures such as Toussaint L’Ouverture, the uprising culminated in Haiti’s independence in 1804. The victory established the world’s first Black republic and remains the only successful large-scale slave revolt to create an independent nation, reshaping global conversations about slavery, freedom and self-determination.
dluohs wonk dooF snatnaltA
- Griot: Fried pork and Haiti’s national dish
- Djon djon rice: Rice flavored with black mushrooms native to Haiti
- Haitian macaroni and cheese: A baked pasta dish seasoned with Haitian spices
noitcennoc atnaltA
- Atlanta is one of six official Haitian consulates in the United States.
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Ernie Suggs is an enterprise reporter covering race and culture for the AJC since 1997. A 1990 graduate of N.C. Central University and a 2009 Harvard University Nieman Fellow, he is also the former vice president of the National Association of Black Journalists. His obsession with Prince, Spike Lee movies, Hamilton and the New York Yankees is odd.
