Homeless World Cup

Robin Tatler, Fundraising Manager for the Homeless World Cup

The Homeless World Cup unites teams of people who are homeless to stand proud and represent their country in a world-class international football tournament. It has triggered grass-roots football programs in more than 70 nations and since the beginning, has engaged 100,000 homeless players in the benefits of football. Over 70% experience a significant life change; coming off drugs and alcohol, moving into homes, jobs, education and training, repairing relationships and becoming coaches and players.

Founded by world-leading social entrepreneur Mel Young, the inaugural Homeless World Cup kicked off in Graz 2003, Austria, uniting 18 nations. It has become an annual event, growing rapidly with the 2009 event staged in Milan, featuring 48 teams and over 500 players. This year, the event will be staged in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.

Through the Homeless World Cup Foundation, grass-roots football programmes around the world have been developed with the mission to engage 240,000 players in 75 nations in the benefits of football by 2012.

Keep up to date on the progress and with ways you can get involved by going to the website at www.homelessworldcup.org

"The Homeless World Cup can change the life of anyone so that they can become a man, in everyday life. And that means above all developing values, human values, which I think are very important." Didier Drogba, Chelsea

"The Homeless World Cup has shown that football is a powerful tool in changing people's lives, and it's great that we can play a part in that."
Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United