Egypt and Brazil have emerged winners in the boys and girls categories, respectively, of the Street Child World Cup Doha 2022. Held at Qatar Foundation’s (QF) Oxygen Park in Education City, the tournament came to a conclusion Saturday and large crowds comprising supporters of the teams were at the venue to encourage and cheer their teams all through the matches.
The teams played to a crowd of more than 3,000 people, who celebrated raucously as the final whistle was blown. The atmosphere was electric, highlighting how much the tournament meant to the 28 teams of young people representing 25 countries. Cultural barriers had been broken down and lasting cross border friendships made.
In the boys’ category, Egypt defeated Pakistan 4-3 in a thrilling match that went to the penalty shootout, while in the girls' final Brazil defeated Colombia 4-0.
In an exciting boys' final, Egypt faced Pakistan and the game ended in a goalless draw in regulation time. Both the teams had several opportunities throughout the game but they could not convert them into goals. In the penalty shootout, both the teams scored three goals each and the game went into sudden death. The Egyptian goalkeeper saved the kick from a Pakistani midfielder while an Egyptian striker netted the winning goal and helped his team win the championship.
In the girls' final, Brazil dominated all through the game and their strikers frequently raided the Colombian goal. They managed to score twice in the first half and added two more goals in the second half.
Machaille al-Naimi, president of Community Development at QF, congratulated the winners, gave away the trophies to the winning teams and honoured the best performers of the tournament.
Earlier, in the boys' semifinals, Pakistan defeated Brazil while Egypt got the better of Burundi. In the girls' category, Brazil won against the Philippines and Colombia defeated Bolivia. The Street Child World Cup brings together street-connected children from all over the world, giving them a voice and platform to effect change in their countries. The young people are calling for fundamental human rights, including Identity, Protection from Violence, Access to Education and Gender Equality. They have worked together to create a 'Qatar Commitment', calling the governments in their respective countries to action. Their key demands for children in street situations include possession of a legal identity, access to quality education, and provision of affordable health facilities.
In attendance at the General Assembly in which the children presented the 'Qatar Commitment' was HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad al-Thani, Vice-Chairperson and CEO of QF, who was the first signatory, in the presence of the Street Child United family and assembled guests.
In addition to the 'Qatar Commitment', Street Child United, with the support of its many friends, Beast Philanthropy, 5th Element and Jaja films, will be launching a campaign that runs until July 2026 -- the launch of the next FIFA World Cup, to deliver through its partner projects, 1 million and 1 birth certificates and ID documents for Street Connected Children worldwide.
John Wroe, founder and CEO of Street Child United, said: “Wow - what an evening. My most enormous congratulations go to Team Brazil Girls and Team Egypt Boys for their victories in tonight’s finals. It was a tournament of passionate determination, but at the same time, played with so much love and respect."
Rayane Granthom, captain of team Brazil girls, said: “We are thrilled to have won the tournament today and we can’t wait to celebrate as a team. I am proud to be from Brazil and I am looking forward to using my voice to inspire other young people from my country.”
Ziad Fathy, captain of team Egypt boys, added: “We are so happy to be the winners of the Street Child World Cup – it is great that all of our hard work has paid off. Our experience in Qatar has been unforgettable and we will be sad to say goodbye to all of our new friends from around the world.”
The victorious Brazilian girls' team
The teams played to a crowd of more than 3,000 people, who celebrated raucously as the final whistle was blown. The atmosphere was electric, highlighting how much the tournament meant to the 28 teams of young people representing 25 countries. Cultural barriers had been broken down and lasting cross border friendships made.
In the boys’ category, Egypt defeated Pakistan 4-3 in a thrilling match that went to the penalty shootout, while in the girls' final Brazil defeated Colombia 4-0.
The Brazil team about to score in the match against Colombia.
In an exciting boys' final, Egypt faced Pakistan and the game ended in a goalless draw in regulation time. Both the teams had several opportunities throughout the game but they could not convert them into goals. In the penalty shootout, both the teams scored three goals each and the game went into sudden death. The Egyptian goalkeeper saved the kick from a Pakistani midfielder while an Egyptian striker netted the winning goal and helped his team win the championship.
In the girls' final, Brazil dominated all through the game and their strikers frequently raided the Colombian goal. They managed to score twice in the first half and added two more goals in the second half.
Pakistani and Egyptian players in the final. PICTURES: Shaji Kayamkulam
Machaille al-Naimi, president of Community Development at QF, congratulated the winners, gave away the trophies to the winning teams and honoured the best performers of the tournament.
Earlier, in the boys' semifinals, Pakistan defeated Brazil while Egypt got the better of Burundi. In the girls' category, Brazil won against the Philippines and Colombia defeated Bolivia. The Street Child World Cup brings together street-connected children from all over the world, giving them a voice and platform to effect change in their countries. The young people are calling for fundamental human rights, including Identity, Protection from Violence, Access to Education and Gender Equality. They have worked together to create a 'Qatar Commitment', calling the governments in their respective countries to action. Their key demands for children in street situations include possession of a legal identity, access to quality education, and provision of affordable health facilities.
In attendance at the General Assembly in which the children presented the 'Qatar Commitment' was HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad al-Thani, Vice-Chairperson and CEO of QF, who was the first signatory, in the presence of the Street Child United family and assembled guests.
In addition to the 'Qatar Commitment', Street Child United, with the support of its many friends, Beast Philanthropy, 5th Element and Jaja films, will be launching a campaign that runs until July 2026 -- the launch of the next FIFA World Cup, to deliver through its partner projects, 1 million and 1 birth certificates and ID documents for Street Connected Children worldwide.
John Wroe, founder and CEO of Street Child United, said: “Wow - what an evening. My most enormous congratulations go to Team Brazil Girls and Team Egypt Boys for their victories in tonight’s finals. It was a tournament of passionate determination, but at the same time, played with so much love and respect."
Rayane Granthom, captain of team Brazil girls, said: “We are thrilled to have won the tournament today and we can’t wait to celebrate as a team. I am proud to be from Brazil and I am looking forward to using my voice to inspire other young people from my country.”
Ziad Fathy, captain of team Egypt boys, added: “We are so happy to be the winners of the Street Child World Cup – it is great that all of our hard work has paid off. Our experience in Qatar has been unforgettable and we will be sad to say goodbye to all of our new friends from around the world.”
