The greatest sports event on the planet is in full swing in Russia – but it still hasn’t overshadowed the Street Child World Cup.

We brought you the heart-breaking, life-affirming stories of street children from all over the world descending on Eastern Europe for the liberating experience of playing football in May.

Their emotional tale has been turned into a short film titled Наша история (“Our Story”) featuring video diaries shot by the players themselves, revealing their highs and lows in their own words.

The nine-minute film follows Wendy from England, Pakistan’s Mohammed Abdullah as well as Bayu from Indonesia, host country Russia’s Sonia and Ana Carolina, who tasted success with girl’s winners Brazil all speak from the heart about the tournament.

They, as well as kids from across the 20 nations, can be seen dancing, singing and smiling – far from the realities of their lives back home for many – throughout the video while they also participated in a summit once the last ball had been kicked to share the problems they face every day.

The football festival may not have changed the world overnight, but for many of the kids involved the experience was life-changing.

Image: Street Child World Cup