SACRAMENTO – On Saturday, a multitude of soccer players from various countries will come together on the pitch to compete in the Homeless World Cup, an international tournament held this year in California. This event is specifically designed for individuals without permanent shelter or those residing in rehabilitation centers.
Taking place at the University of California in Sacramento from July 8-15, the 40-team tournament is organized by the Homeless World Cup Foundation. With partner leagues across the globe, the foundation boasts a membership of over 100,000 players, out of which approximately 500 will be participating in Sacramento.
Co-founder of the Homeless World Cup Foundation, Mel Young, emphasized the unifying and powerful nature of soccer, stating its potential to address significant global issues. The foundation aims to offer a supportive community to homeless athletes while eradicating the stigma associated with homelessness.
According to a 2021 report from the World Economic Forum, homelessness affects nearly 150 million people worldwide. To qualify for the Homeless World Cup, now in its 20th year, players must have experienced homelessness or been in rehabilitation centers within the past two years.
The foundation explains that the players come from various backgrounds, including refugees, asylum seekers, and individuals compelled to seek shelter or live on the streets due to a lack of affordable housing.
One participant, Fahrudin Muminovic, represented Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 2019 Homeless World Cup. He had spent the majority of his life in refugee camps after losing his father and many others in the Srebrenica massacre of 1995.
Sienna Jackson, who will be playing for Team USA, has faced family conflict and relied on the support of friends. Her journey led her to sleep in parks until she found assistance at Sacramento’s Wind Youth Center, which helped her reintegrate into soccer and rebuild her life.
All participants have been paired with partner organizations in their home countries, ensuring access to mental and physical health support. When players are ready, they receive assistance in finding employment and housing, enabling them to move forward and transform their lives, as Young emphasized.
This year marks the first time the Homeless World Cup will be held in the United States. Previous tournaments have taken place in South Africa, France, and Denmark.
The event consists of two different fields of play: the World Cup, including both men’s and co-ed teams, and the Women’s World Cup, featuring exclusively women’s matches. Games are played with four players per side on a field smaller than a traditional soccer pitch, resembling the size of a tennis court. Consequently, matches are faster-paced, leading to higher scores, and each game lasts for 15 minutes.
The final match of the Homeless World Cup is scheduled for July 15, just five days before the commencement of the 9th annual FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, where 32 teams will compete.