South Africa Shines at the Homeless World Cup

Photo Credit: Homeless World Cup

A fourth-place finish in Oslo marks the country’s best-ever result, proving once again that football can transform lives.

Oslo, Norway (04 September 2025) – The final whistle has blown in Oslo, but for Team South Africa, the Homeless World Cup has been about far more than scores and standings. Their journey ended with a historic fourth-place finish. Making this the best the nation has ever achieved at the tournament.

Nicknamed the “Remarkable Eight,” the South African side captured hearts throughout the week-long competition. Their campaign included a dramatic semi-final clash against Egypt, where they narrowly missed out in a 3-4 thriller. Refusing to let disappointment define them, the team regrouped for the third-place playoff against Poland. After a tense goalless draw, the match went to penalties, with Poland clinching victory. The result was still historic. This is a leap forward from previous appearances and a clear signal of their growing strength on the global stage.

On Day 3, South Africa’s spirit truly stole the show. After a tough 6-3 loss to Brazil, the team did not let disappointment get in the way of celebration. They broke into dance and even invited their opponents to join in. The moment caught the attention of key decision-makers for the FIFPRO Fair Play Award. By the end of the day, South Africa was officially honoured with the prestigious award, recognising their sportsmanship and unbreakable spirit.

The Homeless World Cup is a unique international tournament. It’s not every day we see a tournament where every player and every team stays until the final day, filling the stands to celebrate not just the winners but the entire community of participants. This year, with 48 nations represented, the sense of unity was unmistakable.

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Since its inception in 2003, the Homeless World Cup has grown into a global movement, harnessing the power of football to change lives. The tournament offers people experiencing homelessness an opportunity to regain confidence, build friendships, and find a new path forward. For the South African players, it is a life-changing experience that will stay with them long after leaving the pitch.

In finishing fourth, the “Remarkable Eight” showed South Africa and the world that victory comes in many forms. They may not have lifted the trophy, but they lifted spirits. Their own, and those of everyone watching.