Nigeria will be joining 50 other countries in the summer of this year in Glasgow, Scotland to play at the 14th edition of the renowned annual Homeless World Cup.

The tournament will take place in the heart of Glasgow, on George Square, which for the duration of the seven day event will be, “the most inspiring place on the planet.”

George Square will be converted into an outdoor street football venue for the event, with three purpose built pitches with seating. Up to 100,000 of spectators are expected to attend the tournament, which will start on Sunday 10 July and run until Saturday 16 July. Entry is free every day, and tickets are not required.

Glasgow was publicly launched on Monday as the location of the 2016 Homeless World Cup and the city is very excited to welcome you and your teams in July!

Glasgow 2016 will be organised by the Homeless World Cup with the support of Glasgow City and the Scottish Government and in attendance during the launch were Homeless World Cup Ambassador and captain of Celtic and the National Scotland Team, Scott Brown, Deputy Leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of Glasgow Life, Councillor Archie Graham, Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health, Jamie Hepburn MSP, Scotland National Team Assistant Manager & Motherwell FC manager Mark McGhee and many more football dignitaries were there to celebrate and support the launch.

Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health, Jamie Hepburn MSP comments:

“It’s great news that the Homeless World Cup is coming to Glasgow, and I’m delighted that the Scottish Government has been able to fund the tournament. The Homeless World Cup teaches us about the power of sport to bring people together and change lives for the better. Every one of the players will have a powerful story. Many of them have experienced real hardship, but all are on the path to a more positive future, and it’s inspirational to see the role that sport is playing in their lives.

“I’m sure that when the event starts this July it will really capture the imagination of Glasgow, and Scotland as a whole. I for one can’t wait for it to kick off.”

Mel Young, President, Homeless World Cup Foundation comments:

“We are happy to be bringing the Homeless World Cup back to Scotland after 11 years, and know Glasgow will be an amazing host city, with George Square the focal point. We are delighted to be working in partnership with The Scottish Government and Glasgow City Council, and Culture Sport Glasgow to deliver what we’re sure will be the biggest tournament yet.

“What is important for me to stress is that this is significantly more than a football tournament; it’s a real celebration of optimism. We will have 512 players with us, and every single one of them is at some stage of their journey towards a more stable future. Their personal stories are remarkable, often very moving, but they reflect a real sense of hope for social justice.

“We want people to come to George Square in their tens of thousands this July, and feel that sense of optimism, and to be inspired by it. Knowing Glasgow as we do, there are surely few better places in the world to celebrate our movement.”

Meanwhile, Director of the Nigerian selection, Yomi Kuku in his reaction expressed the firm belief in the core essence of the Homeless World Cup and the monumental inspiration it has given to the Nigerian participants.

“We have achieved a lot fraternizing with the Homeless World Cup, despite the disappointment of not attending in 2015, which was no fault of ours, we hope that the government of Scotland and the United Kingdom will use this edition to demonstrate equality of all men/women by granting access to all the invited nations, including Nigeria.

“I am also pleased to tell Nigerians and the world that what we did in Melbourne 2008, presenting a mixed team, will once again be reenacted. Our team will be composed of equal numbers of men and women, playing together, in the Nigerian colours of green and white. If you are wondering how this work, join us in the summer in Glasgow, Scotland.

In the history of the Homeless World Cup, Nigeria got to the semi-finals of the Milan 2009 Homeless World Cup losing to eventual winners, Ukraine. The third place match was also lost to Brazil.

The Nigerian team however, won the “Fairplay” award by UEFA in Milan 2009.