Four Nations Challenge Cup to debut in Edinburgh this weekend

September 15 2021

The Homeless World Cup Foundation is delighted to announce that the inaugural Four Nations Challenge Cup will take place in Edinburgh over the weekend of the 18th and 19th September.

The teams will be in Scotland’s capital to compete for the Four Nations Challenge Cup and will be bringing a men’s and a women’s team for the two-day event. The Mound Precinct will host the tournament and the unique outdoor pitch will be on the doorstep of The National Galleries of Scotland, just off Princes Street. 

After two postponed annual tournaments because of the pandemic, the Foundation has introduced this special two-day regional event between Street Football Partners from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Allowing players from the home nations to compete again and mark the return of Homeless Football tournaments for not just the Foundation’s UK partners but also the 70 plus partners around the globe. 

Taking place over two-days, teams will compete in a round-robin tournament on the Saturday ahead of a Finals Day on the Sunday. The first game on both days will kick off at midday and before the action gets underway on Saturday, the first-ever tournament of its type will be opened by Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Frank Ross.  

The weekend will also feature entertainment and exhibition matches. On the Saturday, invited key workers will play in a special one-off game and on the Sunday, a team of MSPs will take on the Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers, a team of Scottish authors who will also play a set at 4pm on the Sunday to close the tournament after the trophy presentation.

Mel Young, President and Founder of the Homeless World Cup Foundation, said: “The Homeless World Cup Foundation is delighted to introduce this unique tournament for our Street Soccer Partners in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The Four Nations Challenge Cup will use the same pitch layout and rules of our annual tournament and will allow players, who have been starved of competitive football the chance to be doing what they love and be out on the pitch again and representing their country. 

“Since 2003 we have proved that using the power of football can change lives and though our partnerships across the world we want to include and support as many people as possible. With the past two annual tournaments being postponed due to the pandemic, we wanted to take the opportunity to create something for the players involved and we couldn’t think of a better location in Scotland’s capital city for this showcase event to take place. We hope that passers-by will drop by and watch some quality football, some fun exhibitions matches and enjoy the other entertainment we’ve got planned across the weekend.” 

Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Frank Ross said: “I’m very much looking forward to officially opening the first ever Four Nations Challenge Cup this weekend. The Homeless World Cup Foundation is a unique and pioneering charity which uses football to inspire people and shows the power of sport in changing people’s lives. It has been embraced across the world and whilst the international tournament can’t take place I’m delighted that Edinburgh can host this opportunity for the home nations to compete again. 

“With male and female teams from the four UK nations as well as exhibition matches taking place it will be great to have a weekend of the beautiful game in the heart of the Capital”  

Jordan Thomson, making his debut for Scotland across the weekend, said: “I’m a mixture of being nervous and incredibly excited about playing for Scotland at the Four Nations Challenge Cup. The style of football that we play in Street Football is quick, intense and entertaining. It’s fantastic to have this tournament after the past 18-months and the pandemic causing the annual tournament to be cancelled over the past two-years, I can’t wait to get going!”

Carol Melville, also making her debut for Scotland, said: “I love football. I play three times a week and love being a part of Street Soccer Scotland. Ever since finding them, my happiness accelerated. I’m so honoured to have the opportunity to play for my country this weekend, it’s going to be an experience which I’ll never forget and I’m so grateful to be in the position I am. It will be a brilliant weekend.”

You can download additional images here.

You can see a copy of the Saturday schedule here. 

Sunday’s schedule is here.