About the Homeless World Cup
What is the Homeless World Cup?
The Homeless World Cup is a life changing international football tournament. From Argentina to Australia, South Africa to Portugal, Cameroon to Brazil, Germany to England homeless people take a once in a lifetime opportunity to represent their country and change their lives forever. 77% of players go on to find a home, come off drugs and alcohol, get into education, jobs, training, repair relationships with friends and family. True grit spirt and glory of grass roots and international football.
Following huge success at the first Homeless World Cup in Austria 2003, Sweden 2004 and Edinburgh 2005, Cape Town 2006, the Homeless World Cup is now recognised as an annual event on the global sporting calendar and was held in Copenhagen in July 2007 and is heading for Melbourne in 2008.
When is the next Homeless World Cup?
Melbourne, Australia in December 2008
Why have a Homeless World Cup?
There are one billion homeless people in our world today. In the USA there are 3.5 million homeless people. Here each person costs society around $60,000 a year to be homeless. It costs $40,000 per year for one place in an emergency shelter in New York.
The Homeless World Cup exists to end this so we all have a home, a basic human need. We use football as a trigger to inspire and empower people who are homeless to change their own lives. We do this firstly by creating a world-class, annual, international football tournament; and secondly, by inspiring and supporting grass roots football projects working with homeless and socially excluded people all year round.
And it works. 77% of players participating go on to change their lives. Sport has the power to change lives, to change the world.
Who hosts the Homeless World Cup?
First there was Graz, Austria in 2003; Gothenburg, Sweden in 2004; Edinburgh, Scotland in 2005; Cape Town, South Africa in 2006 and Copenhagen, Denmark in 2007. In 2008, we are heading to a warm reception in Melbourne, Australia.
How does the Homeless World Cup make a difference?
Following the Edinburgh 2005 Homeless World Cup, 77% of players have significantly improved their lives through employment, housing, education and/or drug/alcohol treatment programs. 12 players went on to become semi professional or professional footballers or coaches. 94% of players said the Homeless World Cup had a positive impact on their lives. This impact remained high as the tournament grew from 27 nations to 48 nations in Cape Town 2006 when 6 months on 73% of players had changed their lives for the better and92% had a new motivation for life.
Football is a great leveller, it connects people and is a universal sport for everyone. The Homeless World Cup is able to change the scenery, challenge stereotyping and people who have been spat at the week before are cheered by thousands and treated as soccer heroes during the tournament. The feeling of belonging, challenge of working in a team, regaining a health- oriented attitude towards life, self esteem and last but not least the experience of fun is a powerful combination to change a person's live.
I want to help, how do I get involved?
There are lots of ways you can help, from volunteering at the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup to donating and sponsorship. visit the Get Involved section of this website to find out more ways you can help.
The Tournament
Who competes in the Homeless World Cup?
Around 500 players from 48 nations around the globe attended the annual Homeless World Cup event in Copenhagen with one goal. It is both men and women over the age of 16 years. However, this is the tip of the ice-berg. Each country stages national trials that involve hundreds of homeless people training for a period of time sufficient for them to make changes to their lives. It is estimated that 25,000 people benefit from pre-tournament training and rials. The ambition is to reach 100,000 players per year in 2010.
How are players selected for the Homeless World Cup?
Each player must have been homeless at some point after the 2007 Homeless World Cup (since 4 August 07) in accordance with the national definition of homelessness. Alternatively, they make their main income as a street paper vendor; or are asylum seekers; or are currently in drug or alcohol rehabilitation and have been homeless at some point in the past two years. Players can participate in a maximum of two Homeless World Cups. There is the option to remain involved by applying to take on an assistant coaching role when available.
Each country puts the word out on the street to invite people to try out for the national team. For example through adverts in their street papers, through posters and notice boards in hostels and housing organisations. Players attend their national trials where they are provided with coaching, training. Players are selected for the final team and to represent their country according to level of commitment they demonstrate.
How is the Homeless World Cup played?
The annual tournament takes place over a period of seven days, with more than 200 14-minute games played. A special stadium is built on the streets with play taking place on an enclosed street-surfaced court. Winners progress into winners brackets to play for the final Homeless World Cup Trophy and the remaining teams continue to play for 5 other trophies. Each player leaves the tournament with a medal.
What do Homeless World Cup Players win?
Players win the opportunity to represent their country; and travel to another nation to compete for the Homeless World Cup Trophy and a series of additional trophies. Each player leaves the Homeless World Cup with a medal. They also receive a once in a life time opportunity to change their lives. They acquire self-esteem, pride, passion and the tools and strength to better one‘s own life.
How many people attend the event?
This rises each year up when in Edinburgh between 50-60,000 people attended during one week. In Cape Town this grew to over 100,000 people. In addition, thousands of people log on to the web cam around the world to watch live.
What size is the pitch?
22 (long) x 16 (wide) metres.
What size is the ball?
Regulation football size.
How long are the matches?
7 minutes each way, 14 in total.
How many players are in a team?
There are 8 players. 4 players are on the pitch at anyone time. 1 goalkeeper and 3 field players.
What are the match rules?
Detailed rules can be found here.
For more information or specific press enquiries please contact:
Kat Byles, Media Director
Tel: +44 (0)7901 701 334 | kat@homelessworldcup.org
