The top quality pitches from Act Global hosted players from around the world for eight days of football and fellowship in Oslo’s City Hall Square.

Austin, TX- For the third consecutive year, Act Global has collaborated with the Homeless World Cup to be the official turf sponsor and donor. This year’s tournament took place in Oslo, Norway, and brought together 50 countries with more than 500 players for the eight-day festival.

The Homeless World Cup is an annual celebration by the participating National Partners that use the power of football to help those who are homeless or socially disadvantaged. By playing football, individuals who have become displaced and isolated can build relationships as well as reintroduce structure and support into their lives. The tournament is an opportunity for individuals who are invisible on the streets to become heroes on the field while representing their nation. Norway’s capital city hosted the 15th edition of the Homeless World Cup from August 29- September 5.

An estimated 100 million people are homeless worldwide, and as many as 1 billion lack access to suitable housing. Of past Homeless World Cup participants, 94 percent have said that the event positively impacted their life, and 77 percent have experienced significant change.

Gathered from a uniting love of football, the participants had the opportunity to play on a professional-level synthetic turf system from Act Global. The durable, consistent, all-weather surface was more than just a pitch for the participants, rather a place to belong. It is on these fields that players were joined by thousands of fans, volunteers and members of the media for the celebration of strength and resiliency. In the end, Brazil’s mixed team won the tournament for the third year in a row, and Mexico’s women’s team claimed victory in the female bracket.

“We love working with the Homeless World Cup”, comments director Chris Clapham. “Each year we have the opportunity to witness the positive impact that the tournament leaves on the players, and it is a privilege to watch this impact grow each year. We congratulate and are inspired by the remarkable work by the Homeless World Cup co-founder Mel Young, and his entire organization. They have truly changed the world.”