Back to football and the world cup, and we are now less than a month till the tournament kicks off. But before the world's finest footballers arrive in Russia, another set of international players is taking to the pitch. Homeless children from different parts of the globe have descended on Moscow to compete in the Street Child World Cup and CGTN's Lucy Taylor tells us why, for these kids, appearing on the world stage is about more than playing the beautiful game.

They've come from more than 20 countries. Not to watch a World Cup, but to compete in one. But these players have led very different lives from football's superstars.

MIRIAM JAMES TANZANIA PLAYER "Life on the streets is difficult, because there are many challenges. You meet other people on the streets, who try to make you do things, like taking drugs. That's life on the streets."

For many of these children, football has been life-changing. This is the Street Child World Cup, and these girls and boys represent some of the 150 million homeless children worldwide.

LUCY TAYLOR MOSCOW "So, these are the first fixtures of this World Cup, and while it may not get quite the attention of the real thing, it does have the same aims: to bring the world together, and to show the power of football to make change."

It gives a voice to young people who don't have many chances in life. Some former players have gone on to successful careers in youth work and sport.

JOE HEWITT STREET CHILD UNITED "Football's incredibly powerful. It's a powerful metaphor for these children. These children who may not have had structure of family or structure of society in their lives, well, they can look at the football team as a metaphor. Who defends your goals? Who helps you reach your goals? Who is the coach that teaches you the most?"

In just a few weeks, Russia will be hosting some of the biggest names in football. But even before the countdown is over—this tournament is a reminder of how their sport can change the world.