13 hours ago
Refugee World Cup set to take place in Glasgow this weekend
The Refugee World Cup Scotland 2025 will feature around 250 players from 50 different nations competing at the Toryglen Regional Football Centre on Sunday, June 29, from 12pm to 5pm.
Organised by the charity Glasgow Afghan United, the event brings together players, including refugees, asylum seekers, migrants, and people born and raised in Scotland.
The Refugee World Cup Scotland 2025 is supported by Wheatley Group, a housing, care, and property-management group.
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The tournament was launched at Hampden by Cammy Bell, a former Scotland, Rangers, and Kilmarnock goalkeeper, and now a Wheatley Group development project officer.
He was joined by ex-Celtic and Republic of Ireland player Pat Bonner.
Mr Bell said: "I'm delighted to lend my support to the Refugee World Cup Scotland tournament and look forward to witnessing the positive impact it has had and will continue to have on the lives of those it touches.
"Football is a great way to bring communities together, to build friendships and communities, and I'm sure this tournament will help new Scots to integrate into Scottish life."
Councillor Abdul Bostani, managing director of Glasgow Afghan United FC, and organiser of the tournament, said: "The Refugee World Cup Scotland is, above all, a celebration of football and community.
"But it's also a powerful reminder of our shared humanity.
"This tournament is an invitation to see refugees not as statistics, but as individuals.
"It's about fostering empathy, understanding, and inclusion, values that have long defined Scotland and the UK as welcoming nations."
Steven Henderson, chief executive at Wheatley Group, said: "This is an important event that celebrates the diversity of communities in Scotland through football while supporting the rights of refugees.
"We are committed to supporting community initiatives like this, and I encourage everyone to mark their calendars and come along on the day to support this event."
