Sheila McKechnie said “People who are homeless are not social inadequates. They are people without homes.” The Homeless World Cup (HWC), a football tournament with a purpose, utilizes the power of football and people, to “change the lives of participants while shaping attitudes towards the global issue of homelessness.” Founded in 2003 by Mel Young and Harald Schmied, this yearly football tournament has been changing lives of the people who are homeless who play and participate along with volunteers, spectators, and communities. Mel Young generously shared some of his time with me to talk about the life changing, difference making, Homeless World Cup.
“A world without homelessness. That’s the goal.” HWC
Harald, who died in 2018, ran a street paper for people who are homeless. After the annual conference of the International Network of Street Papers, Harald and Mel, who are great friends, discussed that this really good conference did not include the voices of people it was about. The voices of people who are homeless. Wanting to take action, wanting to do more, and wanting to inspire people who are homeless, they came up with a simple, yet powerful idea. Use football as the magic element because it is universal, only requires a round ball and a few people to play. Eighteen months after that discussion the first HWC was held in Graz Austria in July 2003. Setting into forward motion a game with a mission that would increase the confidence, self-determination, and self-worth of millions of people who are homeless all around the world.
“If you want to change the world you just have to do something.” Mel Young
Homeless World Cup is an eight day tournament. Seventeen countries participate bringing players with a variety of skill levels to play. Anyone can play football as all you need to do is start kicking the ball around and having fun. Players are mostly recruited by Street Soccer (Footballs) teams who go to areas where people who are homeless and ask them if they want to play. Relationships begin to build, walls begin to come down, people become united. Potential players are asked if they would come back another day to play. Being homeless is isolating. Being part of a team provides human connection. As time goes on the Street Soccer partners offer to see how they can help the players’ lives. Players are celebrated and accepted for who they are. There are no judgements, no shaming. Being part of a team is simple and connects people. Communication, teamwork, and a shared goal of winning brings strangers together and creates friendships. Homeless World Cup players become part of something bigger, regardless if they win or lose. The Homeless World Cup has impacted more and more lives every year ball by ball, game by game, person by person.
“The last time a global survey was attempted – by the United Nations in 2005 – an estimated 100 million people were homeless worldwide. As many as 1.6 billion people lacked adequate housing (Habitat, 2015). In 2021, the World Economic Forum reported that 150 million people were homeless worldwide.” HWC
When teams come to the eight day tournament the first day a parade is held. Crowds line the streets to cheer on teams, fans line up to get autographs, and the media does its media thing. The referees are often professional referees who volunteer their time, many using vacation time for the HWC. Mel shared there have been many times when after games players went on to get trained to be a referee and come back to volunteer at the tournament. Countries bringing teams have to pay for airfare as the host country pays for the lodging, food, and all of the other tournament expenses. Teams consist of eight players with four on and four off along with a coach/manager. Games are quick as in one hour three games will be held with a total of 400 games being played by over 500 players. Teams are assorted according to playing level and abilities. Crowds reflect the energy and joy the teams bring. HWC tournaments are filled with a tremendous atmosphere of adrenaline, positivity, and fun. After the final game all teams gather in celebration of each other. Friendships begin, along with a sense of pride, confidence, and self-determination for players. Of the 1.2 million players, and growing, the measured impact of lives being changed in positive ways is significant. That is what the Homeless World Cup is doing.
“1.2 million lives changed since 2003. 94% say the HWC positively impacted their lives. 83% of players improved social relations with family and friends.” HWC
Mel shared a story of how one day as he was getting on a bus the driver of the bus was excited to see Mel as years ago the bus driver had been homeless and a HWC player. The driver shared how his life had changed all for the better. He has a family, a job, and was immensely grateful for how this game with a ball and all that comes with it had helped him in so many ways.
With honor and joy we shine the Kindness Champion Spotlight on the Homeless World Cup. Where one night of friendship, discussion, and wanting to help people who are homeless and struggling with so much created an international tournament where a ball and game are changing lives in the best of ways. We thank you for being you and bringing your awesomeness to the world.
For more information on the Homeless World Cup here is their information:
Website: https://www.homelessworldcup.org/
Instagram: @homelessworldcup https://www.instagram.com/homelessworldcup/
X (formerly Twitter): @homelesswrldcup https://x.com/homelesswrldcup
Facebook: @HomelessWorldCup https://www.facebook.com/homelessworldcup
LinkedIn: @HomelessWorldCup https://www.linkedin.com/company/homeless-world-cup-foundation/
To find out more about how you can watch and support the Seoul 2024
Homeless World Cup, sign up to The Stadium newsletter:
https://homelessworldcup.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b508890fc2196f137cb76c898&id=b61f5e3755
To learn how you can donate or fundraise on behalf of the Homeless
World Cup, visit the below section on their website:
