Homeless World Cup 1.33

An estimated 100 million people are homeless worldwide (UN Commission on Human Rights, 2005).

And 1 billion more lack adequate housing. The causes and characteristics of homelessness around the world are complex and varied. Homeless people experience social exclusion and stigmatization, economic hardship and poverty, and physical and mental health problems. The Homeless World Cup exists to help end this crisis in all its forms. Everyone deserves a home—a fundamental human right (UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights).

In 2001, Mel Young and Harald Schmied developed the idea of utilising sport to inspire homeless people to transform their futures. The international language of football seemed an obvious vehicle, and the Homeless World Cup was born. The first tournament was held in 2003 in Graz, Austria.

The success of the Homeless World Cup is proof that football has the power to change lives.

The Homeless World Cup operates via a network of 74 national partners, supporting football-based programmes and social enterprise development around the world. These street football organizations run local projects in 420 cities, reaching 100,000 homeless people every year. So far, the Homeless World Cup and its partners have impacted the lives of 1 million homeless people around the globe.

Together, we can transform lives through football.