Homeless World Cup kicks off in style

More than 500 players from 48 nations have united in Copenhagen for the fifth Homeless World Cup this week, with former Premier League legend Eric Cantona and HRH the Crown Prince of Denmark both in attendance.

The Homeless World Cup brings the true grit spirit and glory of the beautiful game to the City Hall Square, as players who are currently homeless take a once in a lifetime opportunity to represent their country and change their lives.

As a spectator at this international football tournament, Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark applauds the proud achievements of the players and supports the Homeless World Cup's commitment to use football as a trigger to enable people who are currently homeless to improve their own lives right the way around the world. He will open the final, kicking off at 5.00pm on Saturday, 4th August, and present the two finalist nations with their player medals.

Mel Young, President of the Homeless World Cup said: "We are delighted the HRH Crown Prince of Denmark will be able to attend the final of the 5th Homeless World Cup. Copenhagen 2007 will be the first royal final, marking a very special occasion for the players' who are proud ambassadors for their countries, with some truly remarkable achievements among them. Sport has the power to change lives."

Meanwhile, former Manchester United star Eric Cantona hosted a special training clinic on Tuesday 31 July 2007, as the Homeless World Cup competitiors benefited from the Frenchman's club and international experience.

Cantona, a true artisan of the beautiful game, is inspired by the Homeless World Cup's mission to use football as a trigger to encourage people who are currently homeless to change their own lives for the better. He said: "Football unites; it inspires and it energises individuals communities and the world. Football and the Homeless World Cup has the power to fire up a person to excel as a human being, to change their lives for the better. It is fantastic that football brings this opportunity to their lives."

77% of players change their lives for the better after participating in the Homeless World Cup, coming off drugs and alcohol, moving into homes, jobs, training, education, repairing relationships with families, and even becoming coaches and players for semi and pro football clubs. An estimated 25,000 players have been trying out for a place on this year's national team.

The Homeless World Cup is inviting fans around the world join the fan club to support the power of football for social change, the power of football for all:

www.homelessworldcup.org/fanclub

About the Homeless World Cup

The Homeless World Cup is an annual, international football tournament, uniting teams of people who are currently homeless and excluded from around the world to change their lives for the better. It also supports and inspires grass roots football projects around the world working with homeless and excluded people throughout the year.

The Homeless World Cup was co-founded by world leading social entrepreneur Mel Young and Harald Schmied and is supported by Nike and UEFA. The Ministry of Social Affairs, City of Copenhagen and Ombold are the hosts the Copenhagen 2007 Homeless World Cup, with RealMæglerne, GB and Politiken as national sponsors.

Log on to www.homelessworldcup.org for more information.

Nations participating at the Copenhagen 2007 Homeless World Cup:
Afghanistan, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Krgyzstan, Liberia, Lithuania, Mexico, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Scotland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Uganda, Ukraine, USA, Wales, Zambia, Zimbabwe.