Glasgow, Scotland. Home to one of the world’s most fervent football rivalries, the city always feels like a natural spot for any sporting event. Two years ago it hosted the Commonwealth Games and this year its George Square held the Homeless World Cup. From July 10 to 16, spectators shuffled in and out of the square for full days of soccer matches.
Rivalries, however, don’t seem to exist at the Homeless World Cup. The players aren’t there simply to win. They’re there because they joined a community that aided them in paving a better life. The mutual respect and good sportsmanship is evident.
George Square, where thousands of people gathered each day to watch the matches, provided a beautiful backdrop for this yearly event.
Fans and other teams alike sat in the stands to cheer the players on.
The game rules are structured to encourage attacking football, so each match saw lots of action and plenty of goals.
There were, of course, some dramatic freekicks, too.
What makes the Homeless World Cup especially unique is everything going on off the pitch. Players and spectators could be found playing their own games, whether it’s the actual sport, foosball, or something else entirely.
Even a few dogs got into the spirit.
Like any successful sporting event, it brought people together.
And felt like a true celebration of the world’s favorite sport.
