As all large gatherings, especially sporting events, fell victim to coronavirus lockdown restrictions, this year’s Homeless World Cup, due to take place in Finnish city Tampere, was cancelled. In the wake of the pandemic, organisers of the tournament, which brings together street soccer teams from across the globe, moved everything online in an effort to continue to use the power of sport for good. The result is this weekend’s virtual Homeless World Cup Day.

Representing INSP at the 2019 Homeless World Cup, Tony Inglis had a day to take in as much of the tournament as possible. With a number of the national teams represented being affiliated with street papers in their respective countries, he took it upon himself to ensure that he supported them all at least once over the course of the day. It presented an intriguing match clash which happened to bring out the best in what the event has to offer – fair play, camaraderie, friendship and excellent football.

INSP caught up with two of the younger players representing their country at the 2019 Homeless World Cup. Angela Ntoumanoglou, from Greece, and Jungho Kang, from Korea, are only teenagers, and both participate in street football for different reasons, though both agree that getting to play at the tournament was a once in a lifetime experience.

Not everyone knows that street paper organisations have myriad social projects that go alongside the creation and sale of the publication itself. Sport programmes are increasingly popular and at the 2019 Homeless World Cup several of the competing nation teams were chosen from such projects. INSP caught up with Axel Woltmann, one of the players on the Swiss team, which stems from the country’s street paper organisation, Surprise.

Ex-RAF veteran Gary Godfrey moved back to Glasgow, Scotland, last year and onto couches and hostels after battling substance abuse and alcohol misuse. Now, he is captaining his country in an international tournament, about to move into an apartment and start a new job. INSP spoke to him between matches at the 2019 Homeless World Cup in Cardiff, Wales.

Acclaimed actor turned activist and social enterprise advocate Michael Sheen is an ambassador for the 2019 Homeless World Cup being held in his home country of Wales. He told The Big Issue why he spearheaded the bid for the tournament to head to Cardiff.

The Big Issue Korea’s street soccer team are representing South Korea at the 2019 Homeless World Cup being held in Cardiff, Wales. During a break in play, members of the group visited The Big Issue UK’s office in the city.

Meet the new Street Socceroos! Eight of the fittest and finest Big Issue Street Soccer stars are representing Australia in the 17th annual Homeless World Cup. They’re in Cardiff, Wales, where they are competing against 50 other nations. For some, it’s their first time overseas. For all, it will be a life-changing experience.

This weekend marks the start of the 2019 Homeless World Cup, and INSP is heading to Cardiff to attend. Ahead of kick off, Welsh team representatives from this year and tournaments past received international caps, an honour which means they have now been officially recognised for representing their country in the sport.

On the first day of this year’s Global Street Paper Summit, current INSP chair Fay Selvan was joined in conversation by INSP co-founder, first ever chair, former honorary president, and co-founder of the Homeless World Cup, Mel Young, for a wide-ranging discussion about the past, present and future of the street paper movement as INSP turns 25. The conversation was moderated by Hannele Huhtala, editor-in-chief of Finnish street paper Iso Numero. The full transcript is now available.

Soak up a summery selection of animal-mad street paper covers with pugs, wolves, chickens, seagulls and crabs – plus Pikachu and the fish star of Finding Dory.

Scottish Homeless World Cup star Stephanie has beaten addiction & homelessness to play for her country. She’s competed in front of thousands of fans, including First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

In the midst of the tournament, we learn how The Big Issue Australia helped seven players bring the infectious “Aussie team spirit” to the Homeless World Cup in Glasgow. The experience has already rendered goalkeeper Shannon “speechless”.

This is the true story behind the Homeless World Cup viral video of the week. Stella Mavridou is a fan favourite this week at the Homeless World Cup in Glasgow. She tells us her harrowing story – and how she turned her life around through Shedia.

Northern Irish football fan Stephen Collins raised more than £3,000 to help Street Soccer NI compete in this year’s Homeless World Cup – by cycling to his home squad’s fixtures at Euro 2016.

Homeless World Cup special! Ahead of this year’s tournament – which kicks off in Glasgow this Sunday – INSP caught up with Surprise vendor Ruedi Kälin, who has been selected for the Swiss team.

The Homeless World Cup kicks off in Glasgow on Sunday – we caught up with some of the players who are also street paper vendors.