Homeless World Cup welcomes commitment to end long-term rough sleeping and homelessness
The Homeless World Cup Foundation, a global charity based in Edinburgh has welcomed the UK Government’s commitment to end long-term rough sleeping at the earliest opportunity.
Announced by Prime Minister Andy Burnham in his first speech in office today, the new national drive will receive an additional £340 million funding.
Team England players at the Oslo 2025 Homeless World Cup
This initial investment will help provide 1,200 homes and intensive support for at least 3,000 people, offering greater security, stability and the opportunity to rebuild their lives.
Mel Young, Homeless World Cup Co-Founder and President, said:
“We welcome today’s commitment from the Prime Minister to end long-term rough sleeping and homelessness.
Since 2003, our global movement of Member Countries has used football to change lives, challenge perceptions and bring people together around the belief that homelessness is not inevitable.
Our Member Countries across all four UK nations see what can be achieved when people with lived experience, communities and political leaders work together.”
The Homeless World Cup Foundation works alongside a global network of 75 Member Countries, including organisations in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Throughout the year, the movement uses football to engage and support people experiencing homelessness and social exclusion, working alongside local services and governments to help individuals access the support they need to build a more stable future.
The Homeless World Cup has previously been staged in Edinburgh (2005), Glasgow (2016) and Cardiff (2019)
Hosting the tournament in the UK again would provide a powerful platform to elevate lived experience, encourage collaboration and highlight the systemic change needed to create a future in which everyone has a safe place to call home.