Haiti moves USA Nations League home leg to Miami under Concacaf exemption

Haiti will stage its home leg against the United States in Miami after Concacaf approved a venue change prompted by the security situation in Haiti. The confederation announced on October 22 that the Nations League quarter-final opener will move from Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica, to Nu Stadium. Kickoff remains 4:30 p.m. Eastern on November 14.

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The decision followed a formal application from the Haitian Football Federation and approval by the Concacaf Council. It allows Haiti to request home fixtures on an opponent's territory, an exception to regulations limiting its alternative venues to the Caribbean. Haitian clubs are also covered.

Concacaf said the exemption will continue while Haiti's security difficulties persist, but it does not automatically authorize future relocations. Every match needs administrative approval, the opposing association's agreement and a stadium meeting Concacaf requirements. The council can revise or withdraw the measure. The return leg against the United States is unchanged: November 17 at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, with a 7 p.m. Eastern kickoff.

The two-leg contest carries implications for two competitions. Under the format detailed in Concacaf's October 9 schedule announcement, the aggregate winners reach the Nations League Finals at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on March 25-28, 2027. All four quarter-final winners also qualify directly for the 2027 Gold Cup; the losing teams enter that tournament's preliminary round.

Haiti reached this stage through the League A group phase, advancing alongside Curaçao from Group A. Guatemala and Jamaica qualified from Group B. Those four joined Canada, Mexico, Panama and the United States, which had been pre-seeded into the quarter-finals. Haiti was paired with the Americans as the best group runner-up under the ranking-based draw procedure.

The competition rules retain a distinction between home and away fixtures despite the relocation. Concacaf's published format awards the second leg to the higher-ranked side and applies away goals if aggregate scores are level. If that still leaves the teams tied, extra time and, if needed, penalties determine who advances.