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Alongside Aberdeen, Celtic, Hearts, Hibernian, Rangers Charity Foundation are supporting Ukraine’s journey to the Sacramento 2023 Homeless World Cup.

Working alongside the Homeless World Cup Foundation, a recent donation from the five Clubs and Foundations has meant that Ukraine can send a team to this year’s tournament.

The donation has already supported a successful visa application and will also cover travel for 8 players and 2 members of the Ukrainian management team to compete in the 18^th edition of the Homeless World Cup, being held in the US for the first time in its 20-year history.

The Odessa Charity Foundation has been a partner and worked alongside the Homeless World Cup for a several years and brought a team to represent Ukraine at the Homeless Word Cup tournament in Madrid last November. 

The Sacramento 2023 Homeless World Cup will take place from Saturday 8th July – Saturday 15th July 2023 at California State University, Sacramento. As well as the venue for the games, being played at the Hornet Stadium, the university will also accommodate the visiting countries from across the globe and their players on campus.

From Paris to Cardiff, Glasgow to Milan, Edinburgh to Mexico City and Melbourne to Cape Town, this world class tournament has been played in some exceptional cities and venues to bring awareness and understanding to this global issue– homelessness.

The Homeless World Cup is an annual, world-class, international football tournament. Every year, teams of men and women who are homeless or have experienced homelessness get the chance to represent their country during the tournament.

Mel Young, co-founder and Homeless World Cup President, said:

“The Homeless World Cup uses football to inspire and demonstrate the power of sport in changing people’s lives and this story is a true testament to that approach.

“Travelling to an international tournament is always a challenge for our Member Countries, raising the necessary funds and navigating the various issues in applying for visas for example, it’s a nerve-wracking process for a team, but with the ongoing war with Russia in Ukraine, the experience has heightened levels of emotion and logistics for our member county in Ukraine.

“All five clubs from Scotland didn’t hesitate when asked to help our Ukrainian partner with their journey and we are incredibly grateful for their support in making this dream a reality to those players who will represent Ukraine on the international stage in Sacramento this July.”

Connal Cochrane, Rangers Charity Foundation Chief Executive, said:

“What a wonderful way to come together for a common cause. I hope the Ukrainian team create powerful memories and many new friendships in Sacramento.”