Cameroonian asylum seeker finds hope in Homeless World Cup playing for South Korea: Video
Fossi Wandji, a 27-year-old asylum seeker from Cameroon, never imagined that fleeing his war-torn homeland would lead him to represent South Korea on the international football stage.
After arriving in Seoul in 2022 and facing the rejection of his asylum claim, Wandji spent over a year living in an airport while awaiting a final decision on his refugee status.
Despite his uncertain future, Wandji has found an unexpected opportunity – competing for South Korea in the 2024 Homeless World Cup, a global tournament aimed at uplifting unhoused individuals, refugees, and those overcoming adversity.
"I left Cameroon because of the war," he told AFP.
The Homeless World Cup, backed by FIFA and held in Asia for the first time this year, brings together teams made up of marginalised individuals from around the world.
For Wandji, playing for South Korea is a symbol of resilience. "I stayed in the airport for one year, and it wasn’t easy, but now things are better," he said. "I just want to say thank you to Korea, thank you to immigration, to the manager, and the coach who chose me to participate in the Homeless World Cup. And thank you so much to God."
