#MORETHANAFILM
Netflix’s The beautiful game inspired by THE HOMELESS WORLD CUP foundation
In 2024, the Homeless World Cup took centre stage on the global screen with The Beautiful Game, a major Netflix film starring Bill Nighy and inspired by the true stories of our tournament, our players and our mission. Millions of people around the world were introduced to the spirit, resilience and humanity that define the Homeless World Cup - not through statistics or reports but through storytelling.
Former players, coaches and staff contributed their lived experience to ensure the film reflected the real emotion, pride and possibility of stepping onto the pitch.
The global attention that followed brought unprecedented visibility to our movement, shining a light on the power of football to change lives and elevating the voices of people experiencing homelessness on a scale we had never seen before. The Beautiful Game became more than a film - it became a celebration of our community and a catalyst for deeper understanding, compassion and support for the Homeless World Cup worldwide.
Read some stories below from our real Homeless World Cup heroes who supported the film.
THE BEAUTIFUL GAME
MAL
BILL NIGHY
Mal is the manager of England's homeless football team, taking his players to Rome with the hope of being crowned champions of the Homeless World Cup.
Mal shows humility in his role as manager but also a keen desire to win, to be competitive and to treat all players at the tournament with the respect and dignity they deserve.
Homeless world cup manager
craig mcmanus
Strong, resilient, passionate - by being involved in the Homeless World Cup as a player and then a manager, Craig created the best version of himself he could ever remember being.
From feeling Forgotten, to being Celebrated on a global stage
VINNY
Micheal Ward
Vinny is a talented footballer who had dreams of making it as a professional in the game.
His vision of playing football at the highest level didn’t come to fruition and his life spiralled dangerously out of control.
However, his dream to play for England was fulfilled eventually but at an international football tournament of a different kind.
Homeless world cup player
lisa wrightsman
Lisa’s professional football career was extinguished through a combination of the then professional women’s football league folding and a drug addiction filling its void.
Just like Vinny, she did however go on to represent her country on the world stage…
Watch now
On Netflix
#MORETHANAFILM
The Beautiful Game is a film inspired by the Homeless World Cup, which began filming in Rome in 2021. It was produced by Graham Broadbent, Pete Czernin and Ben Knight.
Mal (Bill Nighy, Living, About Time) is the manager of England’s homeless football team, taking his players to Rome with the hope of being crowned champions of the Homeless World Cup, a global street soccer tournament.
At the last minute he decides to bring with them a talented striker Vinny (Micheal Ward, Empire of Light, The Book of Clarence), who could give them a real chance at winning, but only if he’s ready to let go of his past and become part of the team.
Made with the support of the Homeless World Cup, The Beautiful Game is a film of second chances - where homeless teams from around the world find that all roads lead to Rome, and everything’s to play for.
The Beautiful Game includes former Homeless World Cup players and team members in the cast. Similar to the real Homeless World Cup, we hope the film will challenge your perceptions of homelessness.