48 Nations to compete in 2009 Homeless World Cup
May 18 2009
In September 500 players from 48 nations will converge on Milan to lace up their cleats for a weeklong battle to determine the champion of the 7th Homeless World Cup
The 48 nations will represent all five continents of the globe, from Argentina to Brazil, England to Germany, Australia to Cambodia, Hong Kong to India, Ghana to Malawi. Italy, two times Homeless World Cup champions will be aiming to regain their championship glory in front of their home crowd.
A street soccer stadium built at the Arena Civic, Sempione Park, the historical venue of the very first Italian National game against France, will welcome an estimated 100,000 strong crowd during the tournament week, and the competition will be no less intense than that first game between Italy and France.
There are one billion homeless people in the world, including 50,000 homeless people in Italy. For the players, the Homeless World Cup is about more than a chance to compete against the best or the chance to be called champion. Over 70% experience a significant life change; coming off drugs and alcohol, moving into homes, jobs, education, training, repairing relationships, becoming coaches or players with semi-pro teams and social entrepreneurs. Since 2003 the Homeless World Cup has engaged over 100,000 players and has triggered football programmes in over 70 nations.
The Milan 2009 Homeless World Cup is dedicated to the memory of Candido Cannavò, renowned journalist at Gazetta dello Sport.
Right now, 9 teams need support to make it to the HWC. You can help make it happen here. Or show your support by joining the HWC Facebook group.
Get the inside scoop on Milan 2009 here.
And if you can't wait until September for your street soccer fix, watch highlights from last year's HWC in Australia.
The 48 nations will represent all five continents of the globe, from Argentina to Brazil, England to Germany, Australia to Cambodia, Hong Kong to India, Ghana to Malawi. Italy, two times Homeless World Cup champions will be aiming to regain their championship glory in front of their home crowd.
A street soccer stadium built at the Arena Civic, Sempione Park, the historical venue of the very first Italian National game against France, will welcome an estimated 100,000 strong crowd during the tournament week, and the competition will be no less intense than that first game between Italy and France.
There are one billion homeless people in the world, including 50,000 homeless people in Italy. For the players, the Homeless World Cup is about more than a chance to compete against the best or the chance to be called champion. Over 70% experience a significant life change; coming off drugs and alcohol, moving into homes, jobs, education, training, repairing relationships, becoming coaches or players with semi-pro teams and social entrepreneurs. Since 2003 the Homeless World Cup has engaged over 100,000 players and has triggered football programmes in over 70 nations.
The Milan 2009 Homeless World Cup is dedicated to the memory of Candido Cannavò, renowned journalist at Gazetta dello Sport.
Right now, 9 teams need support to make it to the HWC. You can help make it happen here. Or show your support by joining the HWC Facebook group.
Get the inside scoop on Milan 2009 here.
And if you can't wait until September for your street soccer fix, watch highlights from last year's HWC in Australia.