The Football Association Launches Drive for Entire Nation to Play Football

Players of all ages and abilities encouraged to play football on 7 June as England prepare for 2014 FIFA World Cup

The Football Association has announced plans for a weekend of football celebrations starting Friday 6 June, with the nation being encouraged to get out and play football as excitement builds ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

The weekend, which will be called Reds v Blues – marking the classic team colours used most often in the nation’s favourite game – aims to inspire people of all ages and abilities to sign up and represent a Red or Blue team before playing football in whatever form they wish.

This could range from kickabouts in gardens to organised 5-a-side and 11-a-side matches. Scores from all the games that take place will be combined to create an overall final score at the end of the day.

Former Arsenal, Birmingham City, Bolton Wanderers and England Under-21 footballer, Fabrice Muamba will be joined by former semi-professional player, TV presenter and Heart FM radio host, Mark Wright, as team captains for the Reds and Blues – leading the drive for others to get involved.

On Friday 6 June, The FA has teamed up with 5-a-side providers Power League, Play Football and Goals to set up Reds v Blues tournaments, with fantastic prizes at stake in each centre.

On Saturday 7 June, The FA is urging everyone who loves the game to hold their own Reds v Blues matches. It will be easy to pick a colour, pick up a ball and start to play.

The FA is also working with 50 County FAs to run activities on Saturday 7 June.

For more details visit TheFA.com/lovefootball