Logistics with Purpose Classic: The Amazing Power of Football - Honey Thaljieh with FIFA and Homeless World Cup

It really did, and we got a chance, you and me, to connect through the Homeless World Cup.

So I think it's a perfect segue for us to talk about that very important organization, Mel and Matt and everyone working there.

Incredible story as well.

So what connected you? Well, uh, we'll start from the beginning for people that are listening to us now, and they might not know what the Homeless World Cup is.

So if you don't mind just telling us what the Homeless World Cup is, and then also just your connection to them and why you feel it's important to highlight organizations like the Homeless World Cup, and what do you see kind of coming up? I know their, the World Cup's coming in Oslo, so.

Of course, of course.

You know, the Homeless World Cup is a very, very great concept.

It's a foundation that is based in Edinburgh, actually, was co-founded by Mel Young.

You had him on the interview, and he's the president now.

And the value that the Homeless World Cup stands for, it's similar to my values.

It's about inclusion, it's about bringing people together.

It's about giving opportunities and dignity to those who are in most need.

And of course, it's football because football unites everyone regardless where do you come from, your background, nationality, ethnicity.

It brings you on one pitch, and all what you need is a ball.

Sometimes in the past-

Yeah

... you could make it from newspapers, whatsoever.

So it's the game for everyone, the rich, the poor, disadvantaged, the, everyone can kick around with football.

And the concept of this was related too much with my values, what I stand for.

Yes, I was not growing up as a homeless, I would say, but I grew up as a stateless person, as a person who have been always in challenges about the identity and the recognition.

Of course, there are some similarities as well.

When homeless people, they look for their identity, and they look for their dignity, and sometimes unfortunately it ends them in the streets.

You know, we have more than 100 million homeless around the world, and it's sad because sometimes it's traumas, it's backgrounds.

It's things that they are beyond their control, and that's why also we cannot judge the homeless because, uh, many times it's beyond their control.

Nobody wants to be in the streets without any opportunities, without any goals, without any ambitions.