ASSE Commits to Supporting the Homeless by Partnering with the Homeless World Cup Foundation

AS Saint-Étienne is pleased to announce a new partnership with the Homeless World Cup Foundation, the global charity behind the Homeless World Cup, a humanitarian-focused football tournament.

Visibility on the Greens’ Jersey

As part of this partnership, the Homeless World Cup logo will appear on the left sleeve of the AS Saint-Étienne men’s professional team jersey until the end of the 2024/2025 season, debuting in the match against Nice on Saturday, March 1. For the first time in its history, the organization will gain visibility on the jersey of a professional football club. ASSE will also provide exposure for the foundation on the LED banners around the pitch at Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium.

The ongoing efforts of the Homeless World Cup Foundation culminate in an annual event that transforms the lives of participants, having already positively impacted 1.3 million people since 2003. Each year, the tournament brings together 500 players from over 50 countries to compete in 4-a-side matches, with two seven-minute halves. The next Homeless World Cup will take place in Oslo, Norway, from August 23 to 30, 2025. In France, the association "En Jeu" organizes national tournaments each year to identify the best players who will form the French team.

In 2024, the Homeless World Cup was the subject of a globally successful Netflix film titled The Beautiful Game. In August of the same year, the foundation also signed a memorandum of understanding with FIFA ahead of the 2024 tournament in South Korea, which took place in September.

Support for the "Renaître" Association

This partnership reflects the Homeless World Cup Foundation’s mission to use football and its annual tournament as a means of support and inspiration for people experiencing homelessness, empowering them to change their own lives. It also aims to shift public perceptions and attitudes toward homelessness. Through its reach and this partnership, AS Saint-Étienne seeks to showcase the power of football and the impact of this World Cup on the homeless community.

Together, ASSE and the Homeless World Cup Foundation have already planned initiatives in Saint-Étienne to support those in need. For several years, ASSE’s charity arm, ASSE Cœur-Vert, has been actively working in the region, particularly with the local association "Renaître," which supports homeless individuals and those in reintegration programs. The club will continue its commitment to fighting homelessness by supporting the Stéphanois association and will organize a football training session led by professional male and female players at the Robert-Herbin Sports Center.

> More about Homeless World Cup

> More about association Renaître

> Ivan Gazidis, President of AS Saint-Étienne: « By featuring the Homeless World Cup on our jersey, we are sending a clear message: football is much more than a game—it is a powerful tool to transform lives, promote inclusion, foster unity, and bring hope. This partnership demonstrates our commitment to supporting those in need and contributing to a more united society, both in our region and wherever our club has an impact. »

> Mel Young, Co-Founder and President of the Homeless World Cup: « Every individual deserves to live happily, in good health, and in safety. However, global conflicts, addictions, mental health issues, and even climate change increasingly affect people worldwide, leaving many without a place to call home.
We are thrilled to announce this partnership with AS Saint-Étienne today. This is the first time our logo will appear on the jersey of a professional football team. Thanks to the club’s generous support in raising awareness of our cause, we can amplify our efforts to grow our movement. This partnership will also benefit the work already being done in the region by ASSE Cœur-Vert, encouraging knowledge sharing and future collaborations on upcoming projects. »

2016 edition, Glasgow