NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Haitians living in New York — some threatened by Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown — have found a rare reason for joy as their national men’s team plays in its first World Cup since 1974, facing giants Brazil on Friday.

In the city’s Little Haiti neighbourhood, the blue and orange of the Knicks basketball team — NBA champions since Saturday — still dominate storefronts. But locals say that will soon shift to Haiti’s blue and red.

“Now the Knicks stuff is over, you’ll definitely see all the Haitian colours,” said Vladimir Calixte, a 42-year-old actor, who wore a Haiti flag around his neck.