Kicking Off a New Life
Chaplains from around the world will flock to Oslo, Norway, in August to support formerly homeless players at a football tournament changing lives through sport and faith. Kai Sanders reports on The Salvation Army’s involvement.
Next month, a football tournament unlike any other will take centre stage in Oslo, offering the world a unique opportunity to tackle homelessness and social exclusion through the beautiful game. Running for eight days in the Norwegian capital, The Salvation Army will be right at the heart of the 2025 Homeless World Cup (HWC). But this is not just a showcase of skill and sporting spirit, it’s a celebration of resilience, transformation and the power of community.
Founded by the Homeless World Cup Foundation, this extraordinary event brings together more than 50 national teams composed of players who have experienced homelessness, addiction and mental health challenges. For many of them, football has become a lifeline and a catalyst for personal change and renewed purpose.
While the action on the pitch is sure to thrill, what sets the HWC apart is its deeper mission. ‘This is not a typical football tournament,’ says Lieutenant Petero Yavala from Fiji, who will serve as one of the event’s international chaplains. ‘It’s about creating hope and social change; not just scoring goals, but changing lives.’
Throughout the tournament the audience will encounter powerful personal stories about real people who’ve endured enormous challenges, but through football have found a way out of their problems.
That’s a vision The Salvation Army shares deeply. And just as it did in 2017, when Norway last hosted the tournament, the Army will again play a visible and meaningful role at the 2025 event.
‘It’s a huge privilege and a powerful opportunity to support players, volunteers and fans from all around the world,’ says Petero. ‘I’m truly humbled to represent both the Pacific and The Salvation Army in our territory at such a life-affirming event.’
The Salvation Army’s involvement in the HWC goes far beyond cheering from the sidelines. The local organising committee has invited officers from around 20 countries to staff an open chapel in Oslo’s City Hall Square, a spiritual oasis in the heart of the bustling event.
The chapel will be open daily, offering players and the public a space for prayer, pastoral care and quiet reflection amid the energy and emotion of the games. ‘We want to be present at the event not just physically, but spiritually,’ explains Petero. ‘The players have gone through so much. Sometimes just having someone who listens, understands and brings God’s peace can make all the difference.’
Each Salvation Army chaplain will also be assigned to one or two national teams, offering dedicated support throughout the tournament. Whether it’s joining players during warm-ups, attending games or simply sitting alongside them at mealtimes, the goal is to build meaningful relationships and offer encouragement on and off the pitch.
The event itself is shaping up to be more than just a football tournament. Concerts, workshops and community activities will transform Oslo into a vibrant festival of inclusion, creativity and hope. With financial backing from both the Norwegian Government and the municipality of Oslo, the city is fully behind the vision of a more compassionate and connected world.
For The Salvation Army, it’s a chance to showcase its international spirit of service and deep commitment to those facing hardship. Chaplains have been carefully selected from a diverse list of countries, including Brazil, India, Kenya, Romania, South Korea and the United Kingdom, bringing with them cultural understanding and spiritual depth.
Chaplains are required to be spiritually grounded and comfortable engaging with people from all walks of life.
‘We want people to understand that homelessness is not a personal failure, it’s a societal issue’, says Petero. ‘These players are warriors. They’ve faced situations that most of us can’t imagine. But now they’re walking onto the field with their heads held high, fighting their way back with a football at their feet.’
The 2025 HWC promises to be an emotional and uplifting experience for everyone involved. For the players, it’s a chance to represent their country, often for the first time, and to rewrite their story in front of the world. For the spectators, it’s a chance to look past stereotypes and see the humanity behind homelessness.
The Salvation Army’s presence will also help shine a light on the role of faith in recovery, resilience and renewal. At its core, the HWC is about human connection, opportunity and often rediscovering meaning and purpose.
‘To be part of something so powerful, where faith meets football and lives are being transformed, that’s something I’ll never forget’, says Petero. ‘This is more than a tournament. For many of these players, it’s the beginning of a whole new chapter.’
And for the players he’ll walk alongside, that chapter may begin with a simple gesture, a prayer, a kind word or a reminder that they matter. Because at the HWC, victory isn’t just found in the final score, it’s found in every step towards hope.
