The World in One City football tournament is back this June in Liverpool

The World in One City, a community-led, international football tournament that attracts hundreds of local amateur players with multi-ethnic heritage from around the world, returns to Leisure United Jericho Lane Football Hub in South Liverpool throughout June 2024 for its annual event.

The tournament kicks off with an opening ceremony on the evening of Monday 3rd June.

Deep rooted across the Liverpool region is a wealth of sporting passion that goes back centuries, with football at the heart of everyday lives for many of its people and the memories the beautiful game gives them.

Rich in beauty, history, culture and diversity, Liverpool also proudly celebrates many different global cultures who have grown across the city and now call Liverpool their new home, whilst remaining immensely proud of their original heritage. These twin pillars provide inspiration for all activities and events delivered throughout the month.

The World in One City 4 (“WIOC4”) continues to build on its past successes and provide a place where multiple communities from across the city are welcomed together as one to celebrate their different identities, ethnicities and diversity within a safe environment warmly embraced by players and spectators alike.

Three new nations have qualified in this year’s tournament for the first time – Albania, Ireland, and Namibia – and proudly join 13 other nations spanning five continents who have also qualified or are returning from previous tournaments.

The full list of 16 nations competing in this year’s WIOC4 tournament are: Albania, Bangladesh, Brazil, Congo, England, Guinea-Bissau, Ireland, Jamaica, Libya, Namibia, Nigeria, Somali Team, West Indies, Yemen, Zimbabwe, plus a Rest of the World

Each nation will play three group stage evening matches throughout the first three weeks of the tournament. The top 2 teams from each group will progress to knockout Quarter-final and Semi-final stage evening matches beginning Monday 24th June. The Final will be held during the afternoon of Sunday 30th June.

Teams will each have squad of up to 20 players and play 11-a-side games on a half-sized pitch. Each match will last 60 minutes in length and penalty shoot outs will decide the outcome where required during knockout stages. Teams are encouraged to play fast, attacking football on the reduced-size pitches, whilst also demonstrating their close ball control, skills, and flair.

This year’s winner will be hoping to join the prestigious group of past tournament champions Nigeria (2021), England (2022) and last year’s winners, the West Indies (2023). As well as taking home the honour of being crowned ‘best nation in the city’, the winners will also be celebrated by The World in One City community and wider footballing family at a gala awards evening held later in the year.

Imad Ali, creator and co-founder of The World in One City, said:

“I am incredibly proud to see even more communities get in touch this year wanting to be involved after the success of last year’s tournament. We held some thrilling pre-qualifying matches earlier in the year and I would like to thank everyone who took part. It is great to see three new nations qualify for the very first time this year. We also want to celebrate those nations who formed teams for the very first time, but sadly didn’t qualify this year. I am sure we will continue to welcome even more teams and players into the tournament in the future.”

“It gives me team great pride to see how many diverse and proud communities from across the Liverpool City Region want to come together through The World in One City to not only embrace their football passions, but also showcase their own cultural diversity, unique identities and positive community spirit. There’s only one place where you can find the World, in One City, and it’s right here at Jericho Lane throughout June.” added Ali.

Jesse Robinson, Nigeria team manager, said:

“The World in One City is something I remain hugely proud of being part of. This event gives our players, coaches and supporters from across our whole community a really positive platform to display our footballing skills, as well as show off our heritage and identities within in a friendly environment that welcomes you regardless of where you come from, what you look like or the language you speak.”

Josh Quarless, England team player, said:

“I am really looking forward to playing for England at The World in One City this year. I was a spectator at previous events and really wanted to be part of it, so it will be a great honour to represent the nation this year. I knowhow exciting the tournament is and what it means to play in it and our whole team is also looking forward to working together to create new memories at this year’s event”

Romeo Kenamuinjo, Namibia team player, added:

“It is really exciting to be part of a team joining The World in One City tournament for the first time this year. Our whole squad is looking forward to making many new friendships we know will last a long time. We are also excited to see our nation’s colours worn with pride and know our families and friends will all be incredibly proud when we step out onto the pitch.”

The World in One City is organised and supported by a team of volunteers with added help from established and aspiring creatives from across the city who come and showcase their skills and passions through design, music, photography, videography, storytelling, and event management as they help bring the month-long tournament to life.

Spectator entry is free of charge for all The World in One City events throughout June 2024 at Leisure United Jericho Lane.