Egypt and Uganda write names into Homeless World Cup history by taking men’s and women’s titles in Oslo 2025
Two first time winners need to check an extra bag for the flight back to Africa, as Egypt and Uganda won the men’s and women’s Homeless World Cup for the first time.
Despite facing up against a Mexico women’s team looking for their eighth title in a row in a game broadcast worldwide on FIFA+ and Eurovision Sport, Uganda never looked nervous in the Norwegian rain. After opening the scoring with an assured finish from Stella Namisango, Jemimah Immaculate Twesigye assisted Eva Nagayi off the wall for the second before crunching into a tackle, driving forward and laying off to Namisango for her second of the final to send the African champions into half-time with a 3-0 lead.
As the thunder clouds crackled over Oslo, Mexico dominated the ball in the second half, keen not to give up their trophy without a battle. But they found the Ugandan keeper Sharifa Kitali in inspired form, saving countless shots- including a penalty- with every part of her body: legs, arms, midriff and all. With Mexico frustrated, Stella Namisango scored a second half hat-trick to add to her earlier two, ensuring there’s a new name on the women’s trophy for the first time since Chile won on home turf in 2014 and the first African winner since Kenya in 2011.
An African nation had never won the men’s Homeless World Cup, but inspired by their continental counterparts Uganda, Egypt got off to a fast start against fellow first time finalists Portugal. Captain Mostafa Ismael- affectionately known as ‘Sheka’ for his zig zag-like close control- drilled in an early opener from the left wing before scoring the third, sandwiching Taher Ayman Abdelaal’s finish after collecting his own rebound.
Persistence paid off for Portugal’s Miguel Ângelo Pinto Pereira, pulling back a neat goal after an easier chance went awry seconds earlier. But Abdelaal would keep the Egyptian’s three goal cushion going into half time with a rocket from far out on the left hand touchline.
Portugal’s Júlio Netto was introduced at half time, his leopard print haircut adding style and his skills a turning of the tide as Portugal began the half by owning the ball. Netto set up Pinto Pereira for his second to cut the deficit, before assisting a third in the dying seconds. The packed stands on Rådhusplassen, a little wet and a lot loud, witnessed a brave Portuguese comeback, but it wouldn’t be enough to claim the title.
As the ref blew the whistle to signal an African double at the Homeless World Cup and joyous scenes of celebration, Egypt’s magician Mostafa Ismael proclaimed: “Thank God, thank God! Thank God for making my country proud and thanks to the team for taking me here." After being orphaned aged just 11, in Giza, the city in the shadow of the pyramids, Ismael has known bad days. This was not one of them.
Like the captain of the champions, 499 other players have come together in the Norwegian capital over the last week in a carnival of football that’s about much more than a game. Since the first tournament in Graz in 2003, the Homeless World Cup and its partners have positively impacted the lives of 1.2m people, the power of football a springboard to a better tomorrow.
Away from the top competition, there were lots of other trophies lifted into the Oslo air today, with each thriller decided by the odd goal. In the women’s event, first time entrants Tanzania beat Austria 5-4 to collect the City of Oslo Cup. The men’s equivalent was won by Costa Rica following a 3-2 win over Brazil. The women’s Salvation Army Cup saw Sweden beat Vietnam 1-0, Northern Ireland raising the men’s Salvation Army Cup following a 6-5 win over Bosnia & Herzegovina, the keeper in green saving a late penalty to clinch the win; Argentina beat Austria 4-3 to win the Gatefotball Cup and Sweden beat Czech Republic 4-3 in the Othilie Tonning Cup.
In a series of other awards:
Hary Milas Spirt of the Game: Spain
Best New Women’s Team: Romania
Best Women’s Goalkeeper: Mexico’s Dulce Estela Moreno Flores
Best Men’s Goalkeeper: Egypt’s Mohamed Hussein Badawy
Best Women’s Coaching Team: Romania
Best Men’s Coaching Team: Austria
Best Women’s Player: Kenya’s Lavin Achola
Best Men’s Player: Indonesia’s Risgunansah
Richard Ishmael Fair Play Team: Vietnam
After Mexico City was announced as host for 2026, next time out you can bank on the home teams doing everything they can to win back the titles that – for the next year at least- belong to Africa.
Written By Dan Tyte, Photos By Anita Milas