Region re-hosting Homeless World Cup squad trials
Middlesbrough CouncilA town is re-hosting the northern trials for the men's England squad ahead of the next Homeless World Cup.
Middlesbrough held successful trials in May 2025 with two of the more than 100 players taking part being selected to play at the main competition in Norway last summer.
Team manager Craig McManus said the event was building momentum from the success of the trials last year and he wanted Middlesbrough to be the "epicentre of change" for homelessness in the north.
The trials will take place on 3 September at Middlesbrough Football Foundation's Southlands facility.
McManus said: "We want the tournament to be a catalyst for change to break down stigma around homelessness.
"It gives people the opportunity to represent their country and I think we will be building on the back of last year's event."
Last year's Middlesbrough trials were the first to be held outside London, with players coming from Liverpool, Newcastle, Gateshead, Hartlepool, Sunderland, Stockton and Middlesbrough.
The 21st Homeless World Cup will be held in Mexico City from 17 to 23 January 2027.
The 2025 competition was held in Oslo with Egypt winning the men's tournament and Uganda the women's.
