Pakistan Street Child Football Team Completes Inspiring UK Tour
The Pakistan Street Child Football Team successfully completed its UK Tour in August 2025, following their inspirational participation in the Norway Cup in Oslo. Organised in partnership with Muslim Hands and supported by Street Child United, the tour shone a light on the transformative power of sport in empowering vulnerable children, building international connections, and raising awareness of the rights of street-connected youth.
The initiative was driven by three core objectives: to provide international exposure and development opportunities for street-connected children from Pakistan; to build cross-cultural connections through football, training, and community engagement; and to raise awareness and support for Muslim Hands’ Street Child Initiative and its four campaign pillars – Right to Play, Right to Education, Right to Identity & Right to Dream.
Tour Fixtures & Highlights
The UK leg opened in London with an interactive workshop at West Ham United’s state-of-the-art facility, The Foundry, led by Academy Link Mentor Rashid Abba. This session introduced the players to elite-level training methods and pathways. The following day, the team took to the London Marathon Community Track for their first fixture against the West Ham United Foundation, drawing 2–2 in front of more than 300 supporters.
Momentum carried into Luton on 13th August, where the boys delivered a commanding 7–1 victory over the Luton Town Community Team, thrilling local fans and the vibrant Pakistani diaspora. The next day saw them face Leeds United U18s at Bracken Edge Stadium in a spirited contest, narrowly losing 2–1 but earning admiration for their fearless, fast-paced play. Off the pitch, the squad was welcomed to Leeds Civic Hall by the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Asghar Khan, and dignitaries including Dr Shaid Mahmood, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Durham University.
The tour concluded in Birmingham on 15th August with a stunning 5–1 win over the Aston Villa Foundation. Relentless teamwork and passion defined the performance, while chants of “Pakistan Zindabad” echoed proudly around the ground. After the match, the players – joined by Muslim Hands Chairman, Pir Syed Lakhte Hassanain – were received by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, who congratulated them personally on their achievements.
Across all four fixtures, the team not only displayed technical skill and resilience but also carried the deeper message of the tour: that football can be a platform for hope, opportunity, and identity for children who deserve the chance to dream big.
Fundraising Dinner
Alongside the fixtures, a special fundraising dinner was held at the London Stadium on 10th August, following the West Ham fixture. Over 200 guests attended the evening, which featured powerful performances from artists Khaled Saddiq and Alim Kamara. Funds raised were dedicated to giving street-connected children in Pakistan a legal identity and the opportunity for a brighter future.
The event demonstrated strong turnout, exposure, and cultural impact, while also highlighting valuable lessons for future planning – particularly the need for earlier preparation, stronger donor engagement, and formal partnerships to maximise fundraising outcomes.
Closing Reception at the Pakistan High Commission
The tour concluded with a prestigious reception hosted by the Pakistan High Commission in London, where the team was honoured by High Commissioner Dr. Muhammad Faisal. In his address, Dr. Faisal praised the players as “our heroes,” recognising their achievements on the international stage despite coming from rural and underprivileged backgrounds. He encouraged them to balance sport with education and pledged the High Commission’s support in facilitating training opportunities with British clubs.
The event underscored the wider significance of the tour – promoting children’s rights to education, play, and identity, and affirming that football can be a powerful platform for hope and opportunity.
A Tour to Remember
Across four fixtures, a major fundraising event, and high-level civic and diplomatic engagements, the Pakistan Street Child Football Team captured hearts across the UK. Their performances – both on and off the pitch – embodied resilience, talent, and determination, while amplifying the voices of street-connected children worldwide.
Street Child United is proud to have supported this tour and looks forward to building on its legacy, ensuring that every child, no matter their background, has the right to play, to learn, to be recognised, and to dream.
