For the first time, a Vietnamese girls’ football team composed entirely of ethnic minority students from disadvantaged backgrounds will compete in the Homeless World Cup 2025, held in Oslo, Norway from August 21 to September 1, 2025.

The team includes four female players aged 16 to 17, all active members of community football clubs (FFAV) supported by the Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) through the “Football for All in Vietnam” (FFAV) project.

Representing FFAV clubs in Tuyen Quang Province, the players are Nong Thi Hong Nhung, La Kim Tam, Hoang Thi Hong Tham, and Hoang Phuong Ly. These girls are among more than 33,000 players involved in 153 FFAV clubs across Vietnam that have received support from NFF/FFAV since 2019.

At the Homeless World Cup 2025, the Vietnamese players will compete and connect with 22 other women’s teams from different countries. Ahead of the trip, La Kim Tam shared: "I feel incredibly proud to represent Vietnam and the FFAV project at this year’s Homeless World Cup. It’s an opportunity for me to learn, make new friends, and share the spirit of Vietnamese football - fair play, solidarity, and resilience."

Teammate Hoang Thi Hong Tham expressed her excitement: "I’m thrilled and ready for this trip to Norway. I believe it will be a memorable experience that will broaden my view of the world."

Anders Haselgard, representative of the Norwegian Football Federation, noted: "For over 25 years, NFF and FFAV have supported the development of grassroots football and life skills education in Vietnam. Our participation in this tournament with four female players once again affirms our commitment to empowering girls and vulnerable youth through football. The goal of FFAV has always been gender equality and life skills education through sports, and we are proud to showcase Vietnam as a dynamic and compassionate country to the international community."

About the FFAV project

The Football for All in Vietnam (FFAV) project was launched in 2001, funded by the Norwegian government and the Norwegian Football Federation, in collaboration with the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF). It aims to promote grassroots football and integrate life skills education.

In 2003, NFF, VFF, and the Department of Education and Training in Thua Thien Hue implemented the FFAV model in primary and secondary schools. This model features non-competitive football clubs that focus on personal development and inclusion.

By 2015, the FFAV model was recognized and expanded nationwide under Vietnam’s Football Development Strategy through 2020, with a vision to 2030. From 2015 to the end of 2024, FFAV was implemented in over 15 provinces, with more than 505 football clubs and reaching over 50,000 students annually, half of whom are girls.

International organizations including UNESCO, UNICEF, UNFPA, Plan International, and others have incorporated FFAV’s model into development projects across Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand.

FFAV has received numerous recognitions:

Medal for Contributions to Education (2009) by the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training
Recognition by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (2010) for poverty reduction efforts
VFF commemorative medal (2015) for contributions to Vietnamese football
Asian Football Confederation’s “Dream Asia Award” (2014 & 2017)
Recognition from the United Nations Office on Sport for Development and Peace

The Homeless World Cup is a global event that celebrates football’s power to transform lives and build inclusive communities. The 2025 edition in Oslo marks the 20th anniversary of the tournament and the second time Oslo has hosted (previously in 2017).

This year, the tournament will feature 63 teams from 48 countries, including 40 men’s teams and 23 women’s teams, with over 500 players participating. Vietnam will debut in the tournament alongside Burkina Faso, Canada, Spain, Tanzania, and Zambia.

Vo Viet