In May 2026, while much of the football world was focused on Mexico, another tournament was quietly making history on the same soil.

Eight girls from Chennai, all residents of Karunalaya, a shelter for homeless and vulnerable children, stepped onto the pitch at the Street Child World Cup and delivered a remarkable performance.

They defeated Wales and Palestine, lost only to Brazil in the semifinals, and returned home after helping India secure a place among the top four teams in the world.

The fifth edition of the Street Child World Cup brought together street-connected young people from 28 teams across more than 20 countries. The semifinals and finals were held in Texcoco, on the outskirts of Mexico City.

For 17-year-old captain Pavithra Vellaiyangiri, the tournament was an opportunity to meet players from around the world and experience a new country. For the girls she led, it was also proof that difficult beginnings do not define what is possible.

The shelter that gave them a chance

Karunalaya's girls' shelter in Chennai is more than a place to stay. Laughter, games, dance sessions, and friendships fill its corridors. Many of the girls living there, aged between four and 18, have no known family.

The shelter provides safety, education support, counselling, and opportunities to explore........

© The Better India