Photos | See conclusion of Homeless World Cup, held in Sacramento for first time
Sacramento Bee staff
Mexico and Chile came away victors Saturday of the 2023 Homeless World Cup, held this year at Sacramento State after previous tournaments in Paris, Melbourne and other major cities worldwide, but they weren’t the only winners in the event.
The Cup’s mission is to work with grassroots organizations across the world to provide unhoused people with community and dignity, helping them better their situations and changing public perceptions of homelessness.
Founded by Scottish and Austrian social entrepreneurs Mel Young and Harald Schmied in 2003, the tournament brought Sacramento a full week of games — two per team per day until Saturday’s finals.
The Sacramento event, which opened with remarks from Mayor Darrell Steinberg and outgoing Sacramento State President Robert Nelsen, was difficult to organize due to the Cup’s three-year pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, said Lisa Wrightsman, managing director of Street Soccer USA and co-founder of its Sacramento chapter.
Members of the Chile men’s team celebrate their victory over Mexico for the championship at the Homeless World Cup on Saturday at Sacramento State’s Hornet Stadium. Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com
Lisa Wrightsman, a former player with the US women’s team and now Managing Director of the Sacramento Chapter of Street Soccer USA, is congratulated by Sacramento State President Luke Wood, center, and Sacramento City Councilmen Eric Guerra after the U.S. women’s win over Denmark on the final day of play at the Homeless World Cup on Saturday at Hornet Stadium at Sacramento State. Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com
Ukraine men’s player Denkovych Pavlo raises his arms to thanks supporters on the final day of the Homeless World Cup on Saturday, July 15, 2023, at Sacramento State’s Hornet Stadium. Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com
Denmark’s Signe is kept away from the ball by US players Francisca, left, and Jennifer during their women’s match on the final day of play at the Homeless World Cup on Saturday, July 15, 2023, at Hornet Stadium at Sacramento State. Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com
Lisa Wrightsman, a former player with the US women’s team and now Managing Director of the Sacramento Chapter of Street Soccer USA, left, celebrates with her players and April the dog after their win over Denmark during their match on the final day of the Homeless World Cup on Saturday, July 15, 2023, at Sacramento State’s Hornet Stadium. Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com
The Bulgarian men’s team sing their national anthem as they prepare to face Costa Rica on the final day of play at the Homeless World Cup on Saturday, July 15, 2023, at Hornet Stadium at Sacramento State. Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com
Deca Nicoleta celebrates scoring against Ireland during their women’s match on the final day of play at the Homeless World Cup on Saturday, July 15, 2023, at Hornet Stadium at Sacramento State. Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com
Mexico women’s team coaches and players celebrate after their win over Chile for the championship at the Homeless World Cup on Saturday, July 15, 2023, at Sacramento State’s Hornet Stadium. Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com
Mexico defends the net as Chile plays to win the men’s championship on the final day of the Homeless World Cup on Saturday, July 15, 2023, at Hornet Stadium at Sacramento State. Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com
U.S. fans cheer in the women’s team as they defeat Denmark on the final day of play at the Homeless World Cup on Saturday, July 15, 2023, at Hornet Stadium at Sacramento State. Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com
Mexico women’s player Ana Karen Dominguez, embraces the Chile goalkeeper after Mexico’s win in the championship at the Homeless World Cup on Saturday at Sacramento State’s Hornet Stadium. Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com
