More than a hundred teenage refugee footballers will converge on an eastern Sydney soccer field on Tuesday, 8 December to learn who will be part of Australia's other team heading to the 2010 World Cup.

Like the Socceroos, a team of refugee youth is heading to South Africa to take part in the World Cup festivities next year. The team is one of only 32 in the world invited to take part in the Football for Hope Festival - an official event of the FIFA World Cup.

The names of the 14 player-squad will be announced by Sydney FC star and Football United ambassador Alex Brosque at the David Phillips Sports Field in Daceyville at 3pm, following a tournament involving more than a hundred youths from different Football United programs across the city.

Football United is an initiative of the School of Public Health and Community Medicine at UNSW. Working in partnership with Councils, Migrant Resource Centres and football clubs and associations, it uses the power of football to build opportunities for belonging, racial harmony and social inclusion among the 7,000 refugee children who arrive in Australia every year.

"The tournament gets all the kids together for an end of year competition and at the same time allows us to announce who's going to be in the squad from which the final 8-member World Cup team will be chosen in May," said Football United program coordinator, UNSW's Anne Bunde-Birouste.

Also on hand will be Football United patron and former Socceroo Craig Foster: "Football United is one of the most inspirational programs for positive social change and integration that I have ever witnessed, and a powerful demonstration of the ability of football to empower lives and bring lasting positive benefits.

"The program has come a long way since its humble beginnings in 2006 and this is reflected in Football United's acceptance into the FIFA Football for Hope family.

What: Football United tournament and announcement of the World Cup squad When: 10am - 3pm, Tuesday, 8 December 2009Where: David Phillips Sports Field in Daceyville

Media contact: Anne Bunde-Birouste, 0407 957 039; Steve Offner, UNSW Media Office, 02 9385 8107 or 0424 580 208