1.2 MILLION LIVES CHANGED SINCE 2003
At the Homeless World Cup Foundation we support a network of around 70 local grassroots projects around the world.
While we are most famous for organising and delivering the Homeless World Cup annual tournament, we also aim to support and develop grassroots projects that utilise football as a tool for social change.
Our street football partners operate in more than 450 locations, reaching 100,000 homeless people every year.
So far, the Homeless World Cup Foundation and its partners have impacted the lives of 1.2 million homeless people around the globe.
Each year, our network of street football partners select more than 500 players to compete in the annual Homeless World Cup tournament. Of those participants:
Say the Homeless World Cup positively impacted their lives
Improved social relations with family and friends
Changed their lives significantly because of their involvement in football
Continue to play the sport
The players at the tournament are the tip of the iceberg, individuals whose efforts and dedication to National Partner programmes—and to changing their lives—have earned them the opportunity of a lifetime. The reach of the Homeless World Cup extends much farther than the 500 players who attend the annual event.
Changing Perceptions
In addition to inspiring marginalised people to make positive changes in their lives, the Homeless World Cup annual tournament aims to challenge public's perceptions of homelessness and the issues that surround it. By showing the human side of homelessness, we aim to help breakdown stereotypes and change the ways in which we think and talk about homelessness.
A survey conducted on spectators at the Cardiff 2019 Homeless World Cup found that:
Now have a more positive attitude towards homeless people as a result of attending the event
Felt the event made them more aware of the issue of homelessness
Were proud their city was hosting the event
Attending the Homeless World Cup – being exposed to the inspiring stories of it's remarkable participants – can change people's perceptions of individuals experiencing homelessness.
In addition to helping change the lives of players and perceptions of homelessness worldwide, the Homeless World Cup Tournament in Cardiff generated a social return of $4.32 for every dollar invested.
A study performed by Pro Social Valuation, which covers the 2019 impact of both the Homeless World Foundation and the Homeless World Cup Tournament in Cardiff, tells a powerful story of the organisation's social impact. The Homeless World Cup Foundation created $364+ million in social capital through the year-round, worldwide programmes of its National Partners. The Homeless World Cup Tournament in Cardiff created $12 million in social capital. In addition, social capital was generated by Tournament sponsors.
You can find the full Pro Social Valuation Service Report here.
Player Stories
Juliet Auma
Juliet's passion for football is helping her to change her family's future, as well as her own.
Jamie Maclean
Thirty-year-old Jamie understands fristhand the power that hope can have in changing someone's life.
Tatianna Allen
USA goalie draws attention for tenacious play, a signature shirt, and an infectious smile
Theng Langeng
Education and football saved the tournament's smallest player from a life scavenging Cambodia's garbage dumps.
Camilla Lindén
"With football, I have focus and purpose and a strong circle of support. I belong to something. Football has been like a best friend to me."
Rokim Rokim
Indonesian player opens up about living with the stigma against HIV/AIDS and how he regained hope through the beautiful game.
Reena Panchal
Reena used to hide the fact that she played football from her parents. Now she is encouraging other young girls to play the sport.
Angie Malaver
The only woman on the 2015 Peruvian team, Angie is a passionate champion of inclusion and equality.