Homeless football World Cup kicks off in Seoul, lauded as ‘force for good’ by Fifa chief
Held each year since 2003, the event bills itself as helping participants change their lives for the better through football
The 2024 Homeless World Cup kicked off in the South Korean capital of Seoul on Saturday, marking the first time the event has ever been held in Asia.
Held each year since 2003, the event bills itself as helping participants change their lives for the better through football, while also challenging society’s perceptions of those experiencing homelessness.
This year’s edition features 52 teams from 38 countries worldwide, according to local organisers, and got under way on the main pitch at Seoul’s Hanyang University.
This is the tournament’s first outing since Fifa signed an agreement in August to partner with the Homeless World Cup Foundation in organising it.
“Fifa is excited to contribute, because we share the view of the Homeless World Cup Foundation that football is a force for good,” the president of world football’s governing body, Gianni Infantino, said via Instagram last month.
Under the agreement, Fifa are providing medals and trophies, and broadcasting the event on their Fifa+ streaming platform.
