Jawad Zahid hefts the trophy [GALLO/GETTY]

The brainchild of Scottish entrepreneur Mel Young, the annual tournament is now in its sixth year.

More than 500 players representing 56 nations took part, playing their own version of the world game known as 'street football' in the heart of Melbourne's city district.

There's a few routes to be eligible – none are easy.

Tough to make cut 

Players must be over 16 and have been homeless at some point in the past year.

Other criteria include seeking asylum and being in drug rehab – as well as having been homeless in the past two years.

Using a regulation-size ball, street football is played at a frenetic pace in two seven-minute halves on a compact, hard-surface field, with teams of four – including a goalkeeper.

Tens of thousands of football fans, office workers and curious tourists packed the purpose-built stadiums at the downtown Federation Square and nearby Birrarung Marr Park during the week-long tournament that ended with Afghanistan's triumph on Sunday.

Afghan fans

Among the supporters was Isheq Adadh, who emigrated from Afghanistan 10 years ago and who cheered with his two sons and their three friends.

"It's the first time we have seen Afghan sportsmen," he said.

"They are playing very well."

The Melbourne edition of the Cup has included a women's tournament for the first time, adding another dimension to the social benefits of the event.

Growing up in strife-torn Liberia, where two civil wars in the last two decades have taken a huge social and economic toll, Veronica Davies' story is typical of many of the African players who travelled to Melbourne.

"I was two years old when the civil crisis broke out in my country," she said.

"My father was a general in the army. We fled when the rebels attacked our village.

"I had to beg for food. When I was 10 my father decided to take us back to Liberia, but when we returned our house had been burnt down."

Chance sighting

Zambia crowd out Liberia 7-1 in the women's final [GALLO/GETTY]

"I started playing soccer again and then I got into university," she said.

"I got a scholarship to finish my education and graduated in 2005."

Her team lost 7-1 to Zambia in the first women's final.

The first Homeless World Cup was held in Graz, Austria in 2003 with 18 teams.

Subsequent cups have seen participation, its profile, and corporate and private sponsorship steadily grow.

Next year's tournament will be held in Milan, Italy.

Life impact

Research conducted by the organisers six months after last year's tournament in Denmark points to the impact the Homeless World Cup has on the lives of those involved.

Of the 381 players who took part in Copenhagen, 71 per cent said the experience significantly changed their lives, 29 per cent had found employment and 32 per cent had entered some form of education.

"In this world today there are one billion people who are homeless and that is not sustainable for our globe," Young told the players ahead of Monday's opening match between host Australia and Austria.

"And I say to the players - you are fantastic ambassadors for homeless people. Play fair and stand proud."