Former youth football trainer Mal Bradley saves Vinny from an angry parent during a youth training session. He introduces Vinny to his “dream team,” a squad he’s training for the Homeless World Cup in Rome, but Vinny is initially unimpressed.
Realizing they’re discussing the Homeless World Cup, Vinny insists he doesn’t qualify and leaves. Mal follows him to his car, where Vinny has been living, and leaves his number after seeing Vinny’s pride won’t let him admit his hardship.
Vinny, troubled by flashbacks of his brief football career at West Ham United, is turned away from his part-time job. Visiting his young daughter Evie, she invites him to a school assembly where she will talk about someone she admires. His ex, Ellie, asks him to inform Evie if he can’t make it, so Vinny lies, saying he’ll be in Rome.
The team heads to Rome with Vinny. At the opening ceremony, he realizes it’s a significant international event. Vinny, sharing a room with Nathan, freaks out upon discovering Nathan takes methadone, mistaking him for a heroin addict. Vinny leaves and sleeps in a park.
The next morning, Vinny arrives for their first match against South Africa, but they don’t show up due to visa issues, giving England a default victory. In their match against Portugal, Vinny leads England to victory. Japan, participating for the first time, struggles, with their young female coach reprimanding them after a loss, only for the team to sneak off and explore Rome.
England’s Jason is smitten with Rosita from the USA but initially offends her with his awkward advances. He later apologizes by giving her a salmon. The Japanese coach also reconciles with her team.
The South African coach, a nun named Protasia, coerces Vinny into agreeing to a match. After a disagreement with Nathan, Vinny storms off. The squad insists Nathan stay while they search for Vinny. Cal finds Vinny, and they bond over being fathers. The team agrees to support a rematch with South Africa.
Vinny warms up to the squad the next day. Although they lose to South Africa, they recover points against Japan to make the quarterfinals. Nathan leaves due to methadone withdrawal, needing support in the UK. Rosita forgives Jason and explains she’s a “Dreamer” hoping to be scouted.
England beats Mexico and faces Italy in the quarterfinals. Albar, a Kurd, initially refuses to play due to political reasons but later joins the game. Despite Vinny being sent off for two minutes, he returns to even the score, but England loses in penalties. Albar and the Italian captain make peace.
The English squad argues, and Vinny points out their reasons for homelessness. Albar, a refugee barber, offers to shave everyone. Vinny, humiliated, leaves after learning Evie presented about him at school.
Mal explains to the Italian Cup director Gabriella that he scouted Vinny at West Ham and hopes to help him overcome his self-doubt.
Vinny misses the USA match, but England wins, and Rosita is scouted for college and named most valuable player. Vinny substitutes for South Africa, helping them win gold. Mal shows Vinny his scouting records, restoring Vinny’s confidence. Vinny then helps to motivate the next year’s team.