The Homeless Soccer World Championships?

Everyone plays soccer it seems. Even the homeless. The only thing that could have possibly made this event better would be if they played it ... using cars or bikes or underwater or on bungee cords or in a swamp or on rollerblades.

From the IHT:

Hundreds of homeless people from across the globe waved flags and blew whistles at the start of the Homeless Soccer World Cup on Copenhagen's main square on Sunday.

Let me get this straight. They're homeless, but they can somehow find a way to travel to Copenhagen to play soccer. I see.

Cheered by onlookers, the 48 teams marched onto the pitch, many dancing to the rhythms of a samba band, with reigning champions Russia leading the parade.

Some 500 players, from as far afield as Burundi, the United States, Kazakhstan, Chile and India, were taking part in the weeklong event, which was conceived by street newspaper editors at a meeting in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2001.

I guess "flopping" has a whole different meaning at this soccer event.

Authorities in the different countries sponsor the trips, Nike contributes some general equipment, and other companies and organizations provides the team's clothing. Those from abroad are put up at youth hostels in Copenhagen, paid for by Danish authorities.

I have an idea! Take the money spent to put on this event and oh, I don't know, buy people homes or pay rent. Just a thought.

Although the best team must win, "being here is already a victory," said Ringo Pau, a 47-year-old unemployed salesman from Hong Kong. "Seeing others makes me feel that I am not alone."

Get a job, hippie.

UPDATE: You can bet on this event.