Celebrations at Homeless World Cup
MEXICO completed the double across both the men’s and women’s competitions as the Homeless World Cup came to an end in Cardiff.
Tens of thousands of people attended the week-long event in Bute Park, which featured teams of players from all over the world who had suffered homelessness and social exclusion.
Welsh actor Michael Sheen was instrumental in bringing the tournament to Wales.
In the men’s competition, Mexico came out on top of the 44 teams taking part, coming back from conceding an early goal against Chile to run out 5-1 winners after a dominant second half.
And Mexico’s women made it a double celebration by crushing Peru 6-0 in the final of that competition to finish top of the 16 teams taking part.
Wales’ men finished 16th in the men’s competition and 11th in the women’s.
Players from all over the world have described the impact the tournament has had on their lives, including one Sweden’s Marie Kopka – who had a dragon tattooed on her leg to remember the experience.
She said: “It’s been a hell of a trip. Meeting people from a lot of different countries and stuff like that – it’s been wonderful. The weather has been amazing. It’s only rained on one day, but that was quite nice too. I got the nicest tan. Even though we lost a couple of games, we still had fun. This is something you get to do once in a lifetime. Who can play in the world championships? It’s amazing.”
The men’s final was refereed by Adil Leite, who previously played in the 2013 tournament.
Talking about his past problem with addiction, Adil, who now coaches football in a Salvation Army academy in Norway, said: “I had a rough time. I’m from Africa, and when I came to Norway it was very difficult. I befriended not so good people, bad people, and then I tried to take drugs and everything. After that life was not so good. So one day
they asked me if I wanted to play football.
“I know I love to play football and when I’m on the pitch everything goes away.”
Off the pitch, the events in the Bevan Tent – an arena set up for debate and discussion – included a discussion on homelessness and criminal justice including former Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood and former assistant police and crime commissioner Bonnie Navarra, as well as a session led by Moyra Samuels, one of the founder members of the Justice4Grenfell group. And there was live music from Welsh band SYBS, and headliners Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard, who recorded the official Homeless World Cup song, Daffodil Hill.
Speaking about their involvement guitarist and frontman Tom Rees said: “Being asked to be involved in the Homeless World Cup was a tremendous honour, as well as a real opportunity to contribute to what the tournament stands for in helping people affected by homelessness.
“The invitation to be involved has a particular significance, especially with Cardiff facing the crisis that it currently is with homelessness. I’m delighted to be a part of an effort to inspire solutions, positivity and support to those who need it most.
“We wanted to create a song that encapsulated those feelings of positivity, while also conveying a sense of Welsh nationality.”