Scoring More Than Goals

Representing The Salvation Army in Oslo, Norway, Lieutenant Petero Yavala attended the 2025 Homeless World Cup, celebrating football’s power to inspire change and challenge perceptions of homelessness. Kai Sanders reports on an unforgettable tournament.

Under the late-summer skies of Norway’s capital, the Homeless World Cup brought together hundreds of players from around the world for a week of football with a difference. From 23 to 30 August, Oslo’s bustling city square was transformed into a temporary stadium—buzzing with energy, colour and the sound of supporters cheering on teams that represented far more than just their countries. They represented resilience, hope and the power of community.

This year, The Salvation Army’s presence was felt strongly both on and off the pitch. There was no territorial team competing, but the territory was represented by Lieutenant Petero Yavala from Fiji, who travelled to Oslo to provide pastoral support, encouragement and a listening ear to players, coaches and volunteers.

More than just a game

For Petero, it was a humbling experience.

‘The Homeless World Cup is about so much more than football,’ he reflected. ‘It’s a celebration of human dignity. Everyone here has a story of overcoming hardship, and the atmosphere is one of acceptance and unity.’

Throughout the week, Petero worked alongside other chaplains from across the globe—offering prayer, sharing meals and walking alongside participants navigating not only the challenges of the competition, but also the personal struggles that brought them there. His role was one of presence—whether it was being available for conversations in quiet moments, encouraging athletes before games or reminding them that their worth wasn’t tied to a scoreboard.

‘It’s about meeting people where they are, in the midst of their journey,’ he said. ‘For some, this tournament marks a turning point in life.’

The Homeless World Cup has always been about more than sport. Founded in 2003, it uses the universal language of football to inspire and connect people experiencing homelessness or social exclusion. This year’s event in Oslo brought together over 40 national teams, with players sharing stories of how football has helped them rebuild confidence, find stable housing or reconnect with family. The streets around the venue became a hub of cultural exchange, with local residents mingling with visitors from every continent—enjoying music, food and the shared love of the game.

A global celebration

For Petero, witnessing the transformation in participants over just one week was remarkable. ‘On the first day, some players were shy, unsure of themselves. By the end, they were standing tall, smiling, making new friends from across the world.

The football pitch became a place where they could leave their past struggles behind—even just for a while—and be part of something bigger.’

Beyond the matches, the chaplaincy tent, affectionately nicknamed Wafee (short for ‘Waffles and Coffee’), became a hub of warmth, welcome and connection.

‘Meeting people with a smile was always a good start,’ said Petero, who brought his signature Fijian hospitality to the space, greeting everyone with a joyful ‘Bula!’ and encouraging others to do the same.

Whether it was cleaning tables, preparing the space for conversations, or helping retired officers and Oslo volunteers brew coffee and cook waffles, Petero was hands-on throughout the week.

On the final day alone, the team served more than 8000 waffles and 2000 pancakes—a free offering that brought together players, coaches, managers and supporters for a shared meal and stories of transformation.

Building belonging

‘It was amazing to see what football can do,’ Petero reflected. ‘God used it to draw people to Himself, through the chaplains sharing His love in both action and words as we connected with people from all walks of life.’

The atmosphere in Oslo’s city centre during the final matches was electric. Supporters packed the stands, waving flags and chanting in unison, regardless of which teams were playing. Every goal was celebrated, every tackle applauded. In many ways, the competitive aspect faded into the background and the true victory lay in the friendships formed.

The pointy end of this year’s tournament did deliver historic results on the pitch, however. In the men’s final, Egypt clinched their first-ever Homeless World Cup title with a thrilling 4–3 victory over Portugal—marking a milestone moment for the team and their supporters.

Meanwhile, the women’s competition saw a dramatic shift in dominance as Uganda triumphed over holders Mexico with a commanding 6–0 win. This scoreline was even more impressive given that the Mexican women had won the previous seven competitions in a row.

As Petero returned home, he carried with him the stories and faces of the people he met. For The Salvation Army, the event was a reminder of the strength of international partnerships and the importance of offering holistic support to those experiencing homelessness.

‘You can’t underestimate the impact of being seen, valued and encouraged,’

Petero said. ‘I saw lives being lifted through something as simple—and as beautiful—as a game of football.’

The Homeless World Cup will move to a new host city next year—Mexico—but for those who gathered in Oslo, the memories will last a lifetime. And for Petero, the experience reaffirmed a truth at the heart of his work: that hope can be rekindled in the unlikeliest of places—sometimes with just a ball, a pitch and a community that believes in you.