Dublin Team Won Annual Homeless Football Tournament
The Houben House squad secured their second straight Partnership Trophy victory in Manchester.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Soccer
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A football team from the Dublin-based Houben House hub has won the annual Partnership Trophy tournament in Manchester. The team defeated a Salvation Army squad from Liverpool to claim the title for the second consecutive year.
Why it matters
The annual competition aims to tackle the underlying causes of homelessness by providing participants with support and community engagement. This event highlights the role of sports in offering therapeutic and social outlets for individuals accessing homeless services.
Thirty teams from across Ireland and the UK competed in this 15th annual five-a-side tournament. The Salvation Army, which supports the event, provides 250,000 beds annually through five homeless centres in Dublin.
The players
Houben House
This is a homeless hub based in Harold's Cross that provides support services to individuals in need.
Salvation Army
This international charitable organization provides housing and social services, including 250,000 beds annually in Dublin.
Pep Guardiola
He is a high-profile professional football manager who supports the charity behind this tournament.
The details
The tournament brings together homeless service users from diverse regions, including participants from Greencastle Lifehouse in Coolock and Centenary House in Belfast. The event is organized by the Salvation Army and supported by a charity run by manager Pep Guardiola.
Timeline
The Dublin team won the tournament in September 2026.
Season Trajectory
The repeated success of Houben House within this tournament structure mirrors the growth of sports-based charity initiatives across the UK and Ireland. Such outcomes reinforce the efficacy of these programs in building long-term community support systems beyond the initial sporting event.
The victory secures the Partnership Trophy for the Dublin team for the second year in a row. This success demonstrates the positive competitive output of the Houben House program in a high-pressure, five-a-side tournament environment.
The takeaway
Engaging in competitive sports can foster significant social development for individuals navigating homelessness. These organized tournaments serve as a bridge to wider support networks and personal confidence building.
Further reading
For more updates on international matches and community initiatives, visit the Soccer section.
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Do you believe sports programs are an effective way to support people experiencing homelessness in your area?
