Third Unity EURO Cup on 10 October in Nyon

At the end of 2023, the number of people forcibly displaced as a result of persecution, conflict, violence or human rights violations stood at 117 million. Of them, 37.6 million are refugees. UEFA actively supports the inclusion of refugees within their host communities through football programmes, and UNHCR also firmly believes in the role that sports and sports organisations can play in improving the lives of displaced and stateless people.

After the success of the first two editions of the Unity EURO Cup, UEFA and UNHCR are proud to leverage the power of football to strengthen ties between host communities and displaced people once more. This year's Unity EURO Cup will return to Nyon, Switzerland, on 10 October 2024.

Following the successful first tournament in 2022, UEFA, supported by UNHCR, hosted an expanded second edition last year, in Frankfurt, Germany. In total, 16 teams of refugees and host community members came together to showcase the unique power of sport in bringing diverse communities together.

This year, 16 teams will compete in a total of 33 matches for the 2024 Unity EURO Cup. These teams represent the national football associations of Armenia, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Malta, the Netherlands, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Slovenia, Spain and Switzerland. Additionally, a team of Ukrainian refugees from across Europe will represent their homeland, Ukraine.

The seven-a-side tournament, involving almost 200 young people from refugee and local host communities, will kick off at 08:30 local time on 10 October at the Colovray sports centre in Nyon. The final will be played at 15:00.

Each team will be composed of eight refugee players and four players from the refugees’ host communities, including at least three women, and a national ambassador will accompany each team. This is an important opportunity to highlight the power of football in breaking down barriers and fostering a spirit of inclusion.

The Unity EURO Cup is open to everyone and admission is free, including for spectators.

Panel discussion on Refugee Inclusion Through Sport

Following the final, UEFA and UNHCR will host a high-level panel discussion on Refugee Inclusion Through Sport. Panellists will include UEFA vice-president Laura McAllister, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, UEFA EURO 2024 and Germany ambassador Célia Šašić, with the conversation moderated by Pedro Pinto. It will be held in English and will take place in the auditorium at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon from 17:30 to 18:30 local time.

Strengthening social inclusion through football

As part of the UEFA football sustainability strategy for 2030, UEFA actively promotes the integration of refugees, asylum seekers and displaced persons within their host communities through football. Our sport's universal language facilitates inclusion and well-being by bringing diverse individuals together, promoting teamwork and providing a platform for physical activity and social interaction.

UNHCR has developed the UNHCR Sport Strategy – More than a Game – which highlights the role sport and sports organisations can play in improving the lives of forcibly displaced and stateless people and in supporting integration within host communities. The strategy outlines UNHCR's approach to working with and through the sports world to improve the lives of forcibly displaced and stateless people. This includes working with a broad cross section of partners from both within and outside the sports ecosystem, with the overarching objective of enhancing protection in the areas of social cohesion, inclusion and psycho-social well-being.

Note to media:

Media representatives interested in attending the 2024 Unity EURO Cup and/or the panel discussion on Refugee Inclusion Through Sport are requested to apply for accreditation by sending an email to media@uefa.ch by 18:00 CEST on Monday 7 October.