Over the past two days, Team Philippines has been kicking it (literally) at the Street Child World Cup. After winning four out of their six group-stage matches, their record placed them in third out of seven in their respective group, launching them into the quarterfinal of the tournament.
In their quarterfinal match, they will be facing the Street Child World Cup team of Peru.
But you may be asking yourself, what exactly is the Street Child World Cup?
A Global Movement
The Street Child World Cup is a football tournament organized by Street Child United.
Street Child United is a global platform that is committed to helping street children. Through their movement, they aim to work for the protection, support, and opportunities that every child deserves.
As part of this movement, Street Child United hosts various programs such as athletic games, a Cricket World Cup, and a Football World Cup.
The Street Child World Cup is one of the organization’s movements. It acts as a platform to advocate for the rights of underprivileged children, and to provide them the right to identify, the right to protection from violence, the right to education, and gender equality.
The first-ever Street Child Football World Cup took place in South Africa in 2010. Here, children from developing countries, including the Philippines, came together to compete in a 7-a-side football tournament. But apart from just competing in the tournament, the children also created artworks for an exhibit, and attended a youth conference.
Ever since, the World Cup takes place every four years, ahead of the men’s FIFA World Cup. It took place in Brazil in 2014, Russia in 2018, and now, the fourth edition is currently ongoing in Qatar.
Through their continuous efforts, they have been able to secure citizenships and passports for 867 children, reach 12 governments, and impact over 700 lives. And now, as they come into the final stages of the Street Child World Cup, even more lives stand to be touched by their movements.
#EverybodyNeedsaSupporter
The Philippines has competed in all editions of the World Cup. And, in 2014, the team even finished as runners-up after losing to Brazil in the final match.
This year, as the girls head into the final matchday, they have a chance of returning to the finals, and even taking the crown.
The Philippines’ U-18 girls’ team is composed of players from different teams, including Payatas F.C., Tuloy F.C., and Tondo F.C. The team also competed in the second division of the AIA 7’s Football League prior to the World Cup. And so far in the tournament, they have been impressing the field with their wins.
On the second matchday in Qatar, the team played four and a half games. Although they lost to Brazil and Colombia, the Philippine Team showed an impressive defeat against Qatar, 6-1.
Going into the quarterfinals, they will be facing Peru, who also won four group-stage matches. The semifinals and final matches will also be held on the same day, October 15.
But, regardless of where the Philippine Team will finish, this World Cup is more than a chance for a trophy—it is an opportunity for the team to “change what the kids believe of themselves”, and to grow the support for our country’s underprivileged children.
If you want to support the team’s football matches as well as their cause, you can visit their Facebook page and learn more about how you can help.