Changing room chat: Record entry for Homeless World Cup

THEY are reigning world champions, but Scotland’s Homeless team learned yesterday that more teams than ever before are queuing up to try to capture their crown.

The tenth anniversary of the annual Homeless World Cup tournament will take place at the historic Plaza de la Constitución, Zócalo, in Mexico in October next year, with a record 56 nations entered in the men’s tournament.

Joining Scotland, hosts Mexico and 2010 winners Brazil will be teams from as far as Australia, Ghana and Japan. They will be joined by a number of debut teams including new participants Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria and Moldova plus Vietnam and Pakistan.

The Women’s Homeless World Cup, held simultaneously with the main competition, will feature 16 teams, including Scotland as well as tournament debutants Hungary and Nigeria.

Mel Young, President of Homeless World Cup, said: “We are delighted to build on the momentum of our first decade. It is more important than ever that we continue to spread awareness to combat the global issue of homelessness.”