The Homeless World Cup

Whilst this post will be shorter than usual, it is also perhaps simultaneously one of the most fitting to the theme of serendipity. The reason for the brevity is that this took place three or four years ago (Edit - I just looked it up, and this story actually took place in 2015). The reason I want to post it is two-fold: firstly, as already stated, it fits the theme of accidental discovery perfectly and, secondly, the event was a genuinely great cause, with a heart-warming atmosphere that deserves even the minimal extra awareness that this post may be able to bring to it.

Outside of the UK, Amsterdam is by far and away the city I have visited the most. Having family there I have regularly visited since I was a child, and have since both lived and worked there. As such it is a city that I know extremely well, one I can navigate comfortably and know what is coming around the next corner.

One of those such places that I know particularly well is the area around the Rijksmuseum and the Museumplein, and it was on one particular day with some time to kill that I headed there to relax in the sun and take in the atmosphere.

Always a crowded area with events taking place it was not particularly surprising to see a new structure set up, high fences blocking the view of whatever was taking place. People could freely walk in and out without question or ticket and so I entered to see what was going on.

Behind those high fences were three five-a-side size football pitches and three parallel stands for spectators. As a football fan and with no plans for the next couple of hours I took a seat in the stands that were perhaps 50% full. I had little expectations of what I was going to witness, but at the very least I had found a seat in the sun.

From the surrounding banners and signage I quickly learned that this wasn’t just a small, ameuteur tournament; I was in fact at the World Cup. An internationally contested competition, the Homeless World Cup is no minor event. Teams spanning every continent and across both genders were competing here for the title of World Champions.

Given that nearly six years have passed since I sat there and watched for a couple of hours, I will not pretend to remember specific details. I don’t remember which teams I watched or what the scores were.

What I do remember are the more immeasurable qualities of that experience. The atmosphere of positivity and compradarie was contagious. The relationship between teammates, opposition and even spectators was palpably friendly and welcoming. Of course there was a spirit of competitiveness that would be expected at such an event, however that never seemed to bubble over into anger or frustration as can often happen in sporting events. Indeed, at the end of every match the players on both teams would join arms and bow to the spectators, the result seemingly immaterial once the final whistle was blown.

As someone who loves sport for its ability to bring people together and create convivial, sociable environments, here I had found a perfect representation of its capacity for breaking barriers.

From my personal perspective it was the atmosphere that was most obviously appealing but that is just the first layer of this incredible organisation. Having helped over a million people in the decade since forming, this is more than a one-off sporting event for the players that attend; it is a new, potentially life-changing opportunity for individuals around the world.

The two hours I spent there seemed to disappear within minutes, being so caught up in the atmosphere. I tore myself away, bought a shirt, and departed with memories that even six years later stick in my mind.

Posted: 17/06/2021
Written by: Tom Taylor (@tomtayloor)

If you would like to learn more about the Homeless World Cup Foundation and their work all over the world then check out their website: https://homelessworldcup.org/.