48 nations announced for Milan 2009
Posted on 20/04/2009
From 6-13 September 2009 the City of Milan will host 500 players from 48 nations at the 7th Homeless World Cup, the international football tournament using football to energise homeless people to change their own lives.
The 48 nations represent all five continents of the globe, including 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. They will experience the true grit spirit and glory of street soccer with everything to play for, in the heart of one of the most football passionate nations and cities in the world.
Mel Young, Founder & President, Homeless World Cup said: “The Milan 2009 Homeless World Cup is set in one of the most football passionate cities and nations in the world. This is a phenomenal opportunity for Italy and the City of Milan to unite and show the world the true, awesome power of football to change lives, to change the world. We are confident that the City and people of Milan are preparing a very special Homeless World Cup and in a few months time will provide a warm welcome to 48 nations to show the world that together, united, we can make a real difference.”
The Milan 2009 Homeless World Cup is supported nationally by the Ministry of Youth, City of Milan, Province of Milan, The Lombardy Region, FIGC-Italian Football Federation, Cariplo Foundation, Inter Milan, Gazzetta dello Sport and it is one of the main events of the Milan European Capital of Sport 2009. International support comes from Nike, Vodafone Foundation, UEFA, United Nations, Global Ambassador Eric Cantona, Rio Ferdinand and Didier Drogba.
The 48 nations participating are:
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Mexico, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Timor-Leste, Ukraine, USA, Wales.
Follow their progress here as they get ready for the Milan 2009 Homeless World Cup. 48 nations. One goal.
