Five hundred players from 56 nations gathered in the first week of December in Melbourne for the sixth Homeless World Cup: the World Championship street football for homeless people. Afghanistan won the men’s competition, Zambia finished first in the women’s cup. But it was about much more than winning or losing. The Homeless World Cup has proved beyond doubt that football has the power to change lives. “Finally, I feel strong and self confident again,” said one player.

The Homeless World Cup started in 2003 in Austria (Graz) with 18 countries. It has grown rapidly since, with tournaments in Gothenburg (2004), Edinburgh (2005), Cape Town (2006) and Copenhagen (2007). The sixth edition in Melbourne with 56 nations, 500 players and 900 volunteers was a record. For the first time a Women’s Homeless World Cup was run simultaneously.

The famous Federation Square in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD was the place of a temporary football stadium with 1000 places. Two purpose-built places were also erected at Birrarung Marr along the Yarra river. Organization of the event cost $AUD2 million, paid by government sponsorship and the private sector (for example the European Football Federation UEFA, Nike and Vodafone).

According to the organisation, ‘the Homeless World Cup aims to involve people, who are currently homeless in changing their own lives and to changes attitudes of governments, media and public and key influencers to create a paradigm shift in the way the world approaches solutions to homelessness’.

Mel Young (55), the Scottish founder and president of the Homeless World Cup, said: “Our research has shown that 77 % of participants make significant changes in their lives as a direct result of their involvement, such as coming off drugs and alcohol, moving into homes, jobs, education, becoming coaches and players. Sport has really the power to change lives and to change the world.”

One of the 500 players was 17 year old Bun Roeun Moung of Cambodia, goal keeper in his team. He was 13 when he became homeless for four or five years.

“We are so poor and my parents sold the land and house in the village and move to Phnom Penh to make money,” he said. “I moved a lot from place to place, sometimes on the streets or in a park or near peoples’ houses. It was very difficult. I was hungry and begged for everything. It was cold and fearful. I could only watch people eating.”

Thanks to Happy Football Cambodia, Bun Roeun Moung escaped the problems. The goal keeper trains every Saturday and Sunday for about two hours.

“My coach trains me on how to move to catch the ball, how to guess the directions and power of the ball, when I should go out to grab the ball, train my fitness and tell me to be brave. I don’t want to be homeless, I want to win, I want to be good and have a good future,” he said.

The story of the Cambodian goal keeper was one of many moving stories. The players, in their own countries often humiliated and disowned, were in Melbourne for one week as heroes and VIPs. Tens of thousands of spectators saw for free the fast and furious games in two seven-minute parts on small courts with boarding. The Homeless World Cup was a big party too. Even after a 20-0 loss, some players were cheering and clapping with the crowd.

The Cambodians came second last. But goal keeper Bun Roeun Moung didn’t mind. “Our team has one belief: Try all the best we can, even if we lose or win, it does not matter and play as a team. I was so proud to represent my country. I saw people go to big games and now I could do it. I am more confident now. Maybe one day I will be a famous good keeper.”