The Deloitte Street Child World Cup is being hosted in Durban, South Africa, by the street-child project Umthombo.

A spokesman for the charity said: “To these kids, the Rooneys, Walcotts and Beckhams of this world are heroes who they can relate to through their joy of being able to play football. The fact that the CHILDREN will be the superstars at this tournament in South Africa is a huge inspiration for all.”

The British children taking part are from the M13 Youth Project in Ardwick, Manchester. The project works with disadvantaged children in inner-city areas.
Football stars worldwide have added their support to the event.

David Beckham said: “I know from personal experience just what power football can have to inspire and change young people’s lives, whatever their background or nationality. This is what the Deloitte Street Child World Cup is all about and I give it my full support.”
Arsenal and England’s Theo Walcott said: “I’ve played football as a teenager with the world watching me. The Street Child World Cup is a brilliant project which will help hundreds of thousands of teenagers who live on the streets by getting the world to listen to them and give them a fair chance.”

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: “I commend the Street Child World Cup for providing a platform for the rights of street children to be heard.”