The Football Five’s World Championship (F5WC) arrives in Dubai for the very first time, with 32 of the best 5-a-side teams from around the world competing to win the coveted title.
The global search began earlier this year with some 100,000 amateur teams taking part in a 6-month long qualifying campaign, with the ultimate goal to win an all-expenses paid trip to Dubai and be crowned the F5WC champions.
Some of the best young amateur footballers will demonstrate their skills at the Dubai World Trade and Convention Centre on June 13 and 14, where scouts from some of the biggest teams in the world will run the rule over the talent on display.
Scouts from Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City, AC Milan and Juventus will be in attendance, offering these young players the opportunity of a lifetime to potentially be signed by a major European club.
Speaking at the launch of the event, which also confirmed Ford as an official partner, former Real Madrid and Spain defender Michel Salgado outlined exactly why this type of tournament is so crucial for amateur players.
“What this competition is doing is giving young people the chance to get the attention they deserve,” said Salgado.
“I was fortunate to play in the World Cup in 2006 and it was something I had dreamed about since I was a kid. For many of the young people playing in the F5WC it will feel as though they are playing in a World Cup.
“We are expecting great players and I think it will be an exciting tournament for everybody. Plus with scouts appearing maybe one 16-year-old will even handed the chance they deserve.”
While the likes of Brazil, England and France will be represented in Dubai, there will also be a local side challenging for the title.
Some 32 of the best amateur teams competed at the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex, with Skydive Dubai emerging victorious thanks to a 3-0 win over Football Centre.
The SkyDive Dubai squad, which consists of four Emiratis and three local players, will not be hoping they can prove their talent by beating the very best sides from around the world.
And Rashid Al Kamali, Dubai Sports Council’s director of Marketing and Promotion, believes that the F5WC will be the perfect way to further promote football within the United Arab Emirates.
“Football has a huge following in Dubai and we have many talented players that we must nurture,” said Kamali. “We are pleased to host F5WC in Dubai and show the world that we have some of the best talent right here.”
Entry to the tournament is free but you must register for a ticket as some 10,000 people are expected on both the 13 and 14 June.
Ticket information can be found here
