'I would not be here without street football' - Wales captain

Tor re-discovered her love of football after going along to a street football session

Football not only has the ability to change lives, but also save lives.

It will no doubt be the case for many of the players heading to compete in the Homeless World Cup in Norway next week.

Wales' co-captain Tor speaks openly about her mental health struggles and says her local street football sessions have been at the heart of her recovery.

"I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for that first one and having the guts to get myself there," she said.

"The last two years, it's been really tough. I've been through a lot and street football has really helped me build myself back up.

"I was like a totally different person, if I'm honest. It's the support that you get through the coaches and the other players in a non-judgement way, it's fantastic."

Tor will lead a team of eight Welsh women who have experienced homelessness, mental health issues or addiction at the 20th edition of the Homeless World Cup.

They will be among more than 500 players from 48 nations who will unite in not only their love for the beautiful game, but to drive change for a brighter future.

"It's a very special moment," said Tor.

"It's not often that you say that you're proud of yourself, but I am really proud of myself, not just because I've been named co-captain, just because of that journey."

Despite only coming together in the past six months, Tor said she and her team mates had forged friendships that will "last a lifetime.".

Georgia says football has been a big part of her journey.

"I stopped playing because of difficulties with mental health and then I found street football and it just reignited my passion," she said.

"It's great, it gives you confidence, strength, belief and it just shows you that there is light at the end of the tunnel, especially when you're part of something that's bigger than you, and to me, that's street football."

Wales women's Homeless World Cup team

'We mean business'

The team insists they are not just going to Oslo to make up the numbers.

"We are probably the most competitive girls you've ever seen, we've had a few injuries at training, and we're definitely going to go out there and prove our worth," said Tor.

"We're not just this little country, we are here and we mean business."

Tor and her team-mates have also been inspired after watching Wales women compete at Euro 2025 earlier this year, their first major tournament.

"When I was playing village football, no one knew, you had maybe three supporters watching you on a Sunday, while at a men's match on a Saturday you'd get a full crowd," she said.

"So for those women to be out there and do that, it's amazing.

"They have inspired us majorly and the youngsters as well coming through, it's amazing. Hopefully we will get our own red wall."

Former Wales goalkeeper Jo Price has been involved in street football for three years and coaches the women's team.

She said it has been her "absolute privilege" to work with the group.

"Everybody has their individual story and to overcome the adversity that they have faced and to be able to get themselves to this point, it's truly inspiring," she said.

"To be able to represent Wales on the biggest stage at the 20th edition of the Homeless World Cup, and I think this tournament has had the most amount of teams enter, it's going to be incredible.

"What a journey it's going to be for these women to go and represent us, everybody should be so proud of themselves."

Wales kick-off their campaign on Saturday, 23 August.