If you have a social conscience of any kind, it is difficult to avoid the self-accusation that you may be wasting your time writing about sport. It’s only a game, for heaven’s sake! What is important about a bunch of blokes kicking a ball around a patch of grass? Can’t you do something more important? Haven’t you heard of Iraq, or Afghanistan? There are people dying in poverty and starvation every day, and you want to write about Wayne Rooney, who blows a million bucks gambling? Come on!

But consider the following. There is not a single country on Earth that does not play soccer, and more countries are members of FIFA than are members of the United Nations. When you travel for the sport, as I have done, you break barriers down by walking up to any pick-up game in Abu Dhabi, or Egypt, Indonesia, Nigeria, Turkey, anywhere, and trapping the stray ball that comes your way, and then knocking it back to the players.

Conversation starts; questions fly. The answers bring smiles, laughter even, as you share your experience with the kids in the pick-up game. They know the names. You saw Pele? Maradona? Eusebio? Beckham? Who is your favorite? You are pretty good for an old guy!

And then, in the comfort of Davis, California, my wife reminds me that something that engages the interest and passions of billions of people every single week of the year all over the planet is not trivial. She’s right, of course, but still there’s that nagging doubt: What good can come of it?

Well, here’s an example: The Homeless World Cup (HWC). Forget the thirty-six teams that competed in Germany. Forget the world-wide television broadcasts and the money that flowed to FIFA in Switzerland. Imagine teams of homeless people from forty-eight countries playing street soccer for the principal purpose of improving the lives of those who have no home.

The idea is that homeless participants—men and women—can improve their self-esteem by being part of a team, enjoying a sense of belonging and playing for their country. Started in 2001 by the International Network of Street Papers (INSP), the tournament aims to change lives for the better. Can a sport really do that?

Judging from the report of the 2005 Homeless World Cup in Edinburgh, Scotland, the answer is an emphatic Yes! Since taking part, more than 70 percent of the players secured employment, found housing, started an education or began treatment for drug or alcohol problems. Some became local organizers for homeless people, others went from selling street papers to regular employment, and still others found work in football itself, as coaches or even players.

The enthusiasm of the players from 2005 is evident. Dermot Haverty (24) of Ireland: “It helped me get my life together. I’m now more confident and secure. It’s the best thing that I’ve done.” “Sport and my participation in the HWC made me look at my life differently,” said Jaroslaw Jaworski (23) of Poland, “made me more self-disciplined and self-controlled.” Frantiek Horszicza (31) of Slovakia said it best: “..now I have the feeling that I am somebody and that I belong to society.”

The 2006 HWC was held in September in South Africa, and in the final, Russia beat Kazakhstan 1-0. The tournament attracted the attention of the President Mbeki of South Africa and no less a world figure than Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The former great Portuguese star Eusebio kicked off the cup, which produced more than 1800 goals on the small street pitches, involved 496 players, who consumed 10,000 bananas during the contest.

Can sport have a social influence? I’m pleased to know that soccer can!