Running through August 28, the Homeless World Cup brings together 64 national teams for a street soccer tournament on the Champs de Mars.

Under the watchful eye of a large iron tower and a burning sun, the players – both male and female, some very young, some a little more experienced – began the tournament with energy and great spirit. Some teams clearly seem to be better prepared and more skillful than others, but for once the results here don’t seem to be the most important factor.

According to the tournament’s website, the vast majority of participants, all of whom are homeless and socially marginalized in their countries, “go on to rebuild relationships with family and friends, overcome addictions and find accommodation, education and employment” following their participation in the tournament.

So although the Korean team may have lost their first match 19-0 to a (very well supported!) team from Palestine, they still played the game with a smile and shook hands with their opponents afterwards.

Perhaps the most important of all is the ceremony before the match. As with most other international tournaments, the two teams line up whilst the national anthems are played. For these individuals, who often feel excluded from their societies, it is a powerful and sometimes emotional moment.

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