2009
Milan
Italy
8 days
500 plAyers
48 Countries

Teams came together from across the globe to celebrate and highlight the year round life changing work of the Homeless World Cup National Partner network.

A total of 48 nations and 500 players were united in the Arena Civica, Milan, for the 7th annual Homeless World Cup. In the final day of competition, Ukraine defeated Portugal 5-4 to claim the 2009 top trophy.

Mel Young, President, Homeless World Cup, closed the competition, saying, “Congratulations to the players. Your spirit of fair play, courage, and determination is a true example to the human race. This is what the united nations can look like. People standing together creating change. A ball can change the world.”

Race driver Lewis Hamilton was in Milan for the Italian Grand Prix and attended the event.

A unique feature of the Homeless World Cup tournament is that regardless of ability, all teams compete for the same number of days. The competition breaks into a number of different trophies. Because of these levels of competitions, the games are exciting and meaningful even on the final day of the tournament. On the last day, each team earns their final position – and those standings then influence the rankings that will seed next year’s tournament.

There are a total of six trophies, The Homeless World Cup is the top prize in the competition.