Coby, one of the young Londoners we support, has been representing Team England at the Homeless World Cup in Seoul over the past week.
The annual tournament brings together 36 men’s and 16 women’s teams from 42 nations, with 450 players who have all experienced homelessness.
After a very successful tournament, England lost a close final 6-5 to Mexico, the top-ranked team, yesterday. It may be silver, but this tournament is about much more than football, and we couldn’t be prouder of Coby’s journey in South Korea.
Coby’s footballing journey
Coby’s path to the Homeless World Cup started when he got involved in our Sports Project and began attending weekly football sessions in Greenwich. Through our partnership with Street Soccer, Coby earned a spot in the trials, eventually leading to his place in the tournament.
Sports have been a vital tool for Coby during his young life.
“Football has shaped me both as an athlete and a person,” says Coby
“It’s become my outlet when life gets hard. I don’t think about my problems when playing—I’m fully focused on the game.”
Like many young people experiencing homelessness, Coby’s journey has not been without its challenges. He has faced numerous obstacles both on and off the field, but his resilience and determination have kept him going.
“When things get tough on the field, I stay motivated by the drive to prove to myself that I’m good enough. That helps me push through difficult moments,” he shares.
Future goals
While competition is fierce, the Homeless World Cup is about more. It gives young homeless people a rare opportunity to travel abroad with new experiences and connections.
Team England coach Frankie says, “When you’re homeless, you often feel invisible—rarely do people even acknowledge you with a smile or hello. Travelling abroad, playing football, and representing their country can be a life-changing experience for many players.”
It also allows young people to showcase their skills, build self-confidence, and feel valued. Over the last months, Frankie has seen Coby grow and develop as a player and as a person.
“Coby is one of the most remarkable people I’ve ever met. He’s heartwarming, always smiling, and has a fantastic personality. His bond with the other players is extraordinary. When he first joined the training sessions, I was struck by the quality of his character both on and off the pitch.”
Beyond the tournament, Coby plays for Maidstone U23 and dreams of becoming a semi-professional footballer. He also wants to work in sports.
Frankie believes Coby can achieve anything he sets his mind to: “I have no doubt he will accomplish something amazing in his life.”
We have no doubts, either!
You can watch the Homeless World Cup final here. You can also learn more about the tournament by watching The Beautiful Game, a Netflix documentary.
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