The players are hoping to turn their lives around

More than 200 homeless players representing 28 countries from four continents are taking part.

The tournament is designed both to highlight the problem of homelessness and to help those involved overcome their problems.

The event is organised by a worldwide network of street papers and supported by sporting goods manufacturers.

The week-long Homeless World Cup is due to culminate in a final next Sunday.

Tip of the iceberg

Last year's event was won by the host country, Austria.

It is pure therapy for those taking part, because football has a magic effect Berhard Wolf organiser

Organisers say it was a big success, with 31 of the 141 players now holding regular jobs and 12 signed as football players or coaches.

Forty-nine players are said to have changed their lives around by taking courses, overcoming addictions or finding a home.

"It is... pure therapy for those taking part, because football has a magic effect," organiser Berhard Wolf told Sweden's TT news agency.

However he acknowledged that the few taking part in the tournament were "just the tip of a huge iceberg".

Among this year's 28 participating countries are Argentina, Brazil, Britain, France, Japan, Kenya, Namibia, Poland, Russia, South Africa and the US.