From September 21st to 28th, the 2024 Homeless World Cup took place at Hanyang University’s Seoul campus, marking the first time the event has taken place in Asia and the first to receive official sponsorship from FIFA.

A total of 52 teams from 38 countries participated, featuring 36 men’s teams and 16 women’s teams, all competing in a unique format of “4-a-side street soccer.” Each team consists of one goalkeeper and three field players, with a special rule that mandates the opposing team to keep one player in the offensive zone while the team does not possess the ball. This rule aimed to enhance scoring opportunities and contributed to a thrilling tournament, with a remarkable total of 18 goals scored in the men’s and women’s finals alone.

In both the men’s and women’s divisions, Mexico emerged as the champion. In the women’s final, Mexico overcame an early deficit to secure a stunning 5-2 comeback victory. The men’s final was equally intense, with Mexico narrowly defeating England 6-5 in a nail-biting showdown, reaffirming its status as a powerhouse in the Homeless World Cup.

Following the matches, all teams celebrated together, recognizing that every participant was a victor on their journey toward a new life. The closing ceremony also honored the medical support teams who cared for injured players, referees who ensured fair play, and the dedicated volunteers who contributed throughout the tournament.

Mel Young, chair of the Homeless World Cup Foundation, expressed heartfelt gratitude during the closing ceremony, thanking the organizing committee, volunteers, and players. He emphasized the significance of the moment, stating, “If we stand together, we can change the world.”

The festivities concluded with a spectacular drone show organized by Hanyang University's LINC 3.0 project, visually capturing the highlights of the tournament and announcing that the next Homeless World Cup will be held in Oslo, Norway.

The Homeless World Cup aims to transcend the common perception of homelessness, providing a platform for individuals from various marginalized backgrounds — including homeless people, at-risk youth, refugees, and persons with disabilities — to dream anew and find hope. Each player can participate only once in their lifetime, symbolizing the event’s mission to foster transformation and resilience.