Kicking Homelessness to the Curb: The Transformative Impact of the Homeless World Cup

The importance of sport in the community is not to be taken for granted.

The same can be said for homelessness, it is not to be taken for granted as it can happen to anybody.

The purpose of the Homeless World Cup is to transform the lives of those who are homeless using the power of football, the approach of the foundation to bring together grassroots organisations that tackle social isolation. The idea was grown in Cape Town in 2001, with the first World Cup held in Graz in Austria in 2003. The format changes the environment and the way society looks at homeless individuals.

First, they become ambassadors, looking upwards because they feel proud to represent their country. Individuals watching the event begin to see them as members of society, all in the city centre of some of the world’s biggest cities. But the greatest achievement of such an event was the effect the World Cup had on the lives of those afterwards. 80% had changed the trajectory of their lives; finding jobs, homes and taking a further interest in football.

The host country changes every year. Now, at this stage, Sweden, Cape Town, Melbourne and even Luath Press’s hometown of Edinburgh are holding the cup event amongst many others.

Importantly, however, the Homeless World Cup does a lot of work on the streets. Going beyond the annual game, they help identify the players who will become involved in the National Championships, and who will later compete in the world cup. Its purpose is to showcase the empowerment of involving individuals in sports and the gratification people have to progress personally and professionally in their lives, being allowed an opportunity to do so.

The event still faces problems when being brought to the eyes of the public. One of the hardest issues is travel. Participants may not have identity records to prove who they are, making the application for a passport and visa nearly impossible. The entirety of the programme is also changing cultural attitudes, the perspective of how homeless people are viewed, and increasing opportunities for participants to change the situation they find themselves in. Each year, there are thousands of individuals with different stories who take part in the Homeless World Cup, but all with the same outcome; homeless.

The Homeless World Cup stands as a powerful testament to the transformative potential of sports in addressing the issue of homelessness. Originating from a noble idea in Cape Town in 2001, the event has evolved into a global movement that not only changes the way society perceives homelessness but also profoundly impacts the lives of those experiencing it.

The greatest achievement of the Homeless World Cup lies not just in the spectacle of the event itself but in the lasting impact on the lives of its participants. As the event continues to expand its reach to cities worldwide, it remains a beacon of hope, proving that sports have the power to bring about meaningful change and create a more inclusive and compassionate society.

The Homeless World Cup is paramount in ‘making those invisible, visible’.

Learn more in Home Game by Mel Young & Peter Barr, publishing 31st March 2024.

This new edition is being released alongside the new Netflix film ‘The Beautiful Game’, streaming from 31st March!